Cycling group advises bicycle users to ride safely

The bicycle advocacy group (BAG) has issued a number of tips for safer bicycle use in view of the recent fatal accident where a 51-year-old cyclist lost his life in a traffic accident. The advice also comes in view of the fine weather that naturally encourages people to beat traffic by using a bicycle to travel to work, a statement by the group reads.

The groups advises commuters to be visible, both through their choice of bright colours, lights and reflective clothing but also by positioning themselves on the road for maximum visibility.

“Help drivers by putting yourself where you can be seen. Riding in the gutter at the extreme left is not always the best way to achieve visibility and the law even allows you to ride to the centre of the lane at a junction,” the group says, adding that looking for eye contact with drivers, especially at junctions, is also important.

Cyclists are also encouraged to use their legal right to take the lane to position themselves so the driver’s blind spots don’t mask you.

“It does mean you need to be more on the ball than when driving a car and being seen includes making big, wide decisive hand signals to help drivers know what you are going to do,” they say, adding that this should be done well before turning or changing lanes, just in case brakes are needed.

The group encourages cyclists to check behind them before they move, just like when they are driving a car.

“Checking over your right shoulder can help warn you if someone is attempting to overtake and turn left across your path just before a left turn or if a driver is trying to squeeze past in streets that are too narrow to do so safely.”

BAG adds that protecting yourself also means riding sensibly, like not riding through red lights or overtaking long vehicles at junctions as they may be turning.

The group further advises cyclists to avoid the dreaded ‘door zone’.

“Observe movement in car windows and mirrors which might indicate if someone is about to open a door, and be particularly careful of cars with darkened windows especially at night.”

The group adds that double parking, which is very common in Malta, also presents problems to cyclists.

“The owners of vehicles often leave the ‘shopping lights’ on and this is a clear indication that they are not thinking about you. Few will consider that you have to move a long way out to miss them and their own ‘door zone’ so extra care is needed here.”

The group also goes on to advise visitors to Malta that unlike 23 other EU states, Malta has no presumed liability and this changes how drivers treat people on bicycles or pedestrians, meaning that extra attention needs to be paid to cycling.

“Malta also lacks cycle route networks seen elsewhere in Europe, so it is almost impossible to avoid main roads and while back roads are a good idea, they are often one-way to help double car parking in residential areas,” the group added.

BAG added that some advanced planning of your route is almost essential.