The recent tragic death of a cyclist on Malta’s roads was anticipated by the frequent adverse incidents and minor accidents experienced by cyclists on the roads.

An appeal is being made by a local group to the Transport Authority to bring about a shift in attitude of law enforcers and the courts to give more protection to cyclists by the addition of the appropriate laws and regulations. They said that the proposals they have outlined below would create a safer road environment for cyclists. These can be implemented immediately and at little cost:

1. Appoint an experienced or specially trained policy officer in ADT. This officer will be responsible for bringing about a shift in attitude towards the safety of cyclists through coordination of educational activities, measures to ensure that the cyclist is protected by the law (and ensuring that the cyclist feels protected by the law), overseeing road design with a view, where possible or appropriate, to making roads more pedestrian- and cyclist- friendly and, most important of all, introducing changes in the traffic code, regulations and laws.

2. Introduce an obligatory minimum distance of one metre which overtaking vehicles must observe when overtaking cyclists and strictly enforce this rule, which already exists in other EU countries.

3. Require vehicle drivers to treat cyclists as legitimate users of the roads and to pro-actively anticipate potentially dangerous situations to avoid endangering cyclists.

4. Make motorists generally legally responsible for collisions with cyclists unless it can be proved that the cyclist deliberately caused the crash.

5. Take a tough stance against motorists who endanger cyclists. Introduce a policy of harsh penalties for motorists who disregard the newly introduced rules and endanger or injure cyclists (as is the practice in EU countries where cycling is encouraged) and make this clear to all vehicle drivers.

5. Lay particular emphasis on buses, heavy goods vehicles and taxis which pose a significant threat to cyclists’ safety on main roads.

6. Condition police and traffic wardens to be strict with motorists who are seen to be endangering cyclists.

7. Publicise the newly introduced rules with an advance warning that motorists who endanger a cyclist will be harshly punished. Motorists can be notified by including leaflets (with a clear explanatory diagram where necessary) which accompany motor vehicle license renewal documents and posters in government buildings and waiting-rooms. This will help to reassure novice cyclists.

8. Arrange for greater police presence on the roads to strictly enforce traffic regulations and make the roads safer for all. The current emphasis on preying on ‘soft targets’ such as those who accidentally park incorrectly or are caught in speed traps for the unwary, has allowed the proliferation of reckless and careless drivers who pose a danger to all.

These changes should be followed in the medium and long-term by the creation of correctly designed amenities on the roads, where necessary, to make cycling safer and further encourage this healthy and environment-friendly means of transport.

This petition is available for anyone wishing to sign it on the link below:

http://www.petitiononline.com/cycling/petition.html

Permalink: Petition appealing for laws and regulations to be strengthened to protect cyclists