Cycling is not a crime

Following last week's hit-and-run incident in which a cyclist was injured, at least a positive outcome has been the rise in awareness of the need to make the roads safer for cyclists.

Below is Mark Camilleri's blog-post on the subject (link to the original here). I disagree with the 'change of Government' part, but I'm reproducing it in full for completeness' sake.

My contribution should be published in the Times next week.



I am glad that cyclists are joining forces on Facebook and collectively raising awareness on the safety and road hazards of cycling. I am also very glad, that Mark Anthony Sammut, a PN candidate for the general elections, has pledged to make roads safer for cyclists. As far as I know he is the first sportsman who will be pushing the concerns of cyclists in politics and good luck for him.

I am very keen on cycling and it was my hobby before taking up motorcycles. I would give Mark Anthony my second preference vote if he contested in my district, because I think that cyclists are in need of desperate help to have somebody backing them up (sorry Mark, even though I like cycling I rather see a change of Government). This shouldn’t be the case because cyclists should be respected and treated like normal human beings, but that’s not the way many Maltese people think.

Some car drivers think that motorcycles are a nuisance let alone bicycles. This is stupidity. In fact, bicycles should be ridden in the street, while complying with the highway code. You aren’t supposed to drive your bicycle on the pavement! Hence, cars should respect cyclists, and instead of blasting the horn every time they are in line behind a cyclist, they should respect the cyclists’ way, drive slowly and over-take in a very safe manner. If you are driving behind a cyclist don’t over-take as long as the safety of the cyclist is guaranteed. Bicycle lanes are strictly for bicycles also. People shouldn’t walk or jog on bicycle lanes, let alone park their car.

I am confident that with people like Mark Anthony in politics, changes in the people’s mentality will be forthcoming. It is not easy. A lot of education must be done and this needs a lot of time. For starers, children should be educated about these things at a young age.

Well, I know I sound like a priest this morning, with my numerous appeals, but please, if you are a car driver, don’t risk the life of somebody else. And if you hit a cyclist, don’t drive away in fear because the cyclist might be badly injured and in need of urgent help. Respect the lives of others and drive well.