Motorcyclists have made a heartfelt plea to motorists asking for more caution on the roads. In the past month, several traffic accidents involving motorcyclists have been reported.
On Sunday 28 June, father of two Christopher Farrugia lost his life after he was involved in a traffic accident in Triq Ghajn Tuffieha, Mgarr.
In Scotland last week, a woman who killed a cyclist while using her mobile phone was jailed for five years.
James Green, Saviour Bonnici, Alan Leaney and Lenore Micallef have all been riding bikes for years. Lenore and Alan have both lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents. In 2012, they founded the 2 Wheels Foundation to represent and protect the interests of motorcyclists.
“I’ve been riding bikes for over 30 years and it has never been this bad. Too many motorists are using their mobile phones, at times even looking down to text. They swerve a little to the side and that can be it for us. Motorists caught using their mobile phone should have it confiscated; because it seems not even fines can stop them,” Saviour (photo above), a nurse at the hospital’s operating theatre says. “Each day we get motorcyclists being treated for trauma; most of the accidents are not even reported.”
“The horrendous state of the roads does not help, and potholes can easily destabilise a bike,” Lenore (photo below) adds.
Alan insists that more discipline is required on Malta’s roads. “It’s no use having regulations if they are not enforced. Motorists, and motorcyclists alike, need to be better educated. It is useless pulling motorists to the side of the road and simply fining them. The police need to explain what they did wrong.”
James, a member of the National Road Safety Council, insists on the need of cleanliness on our roads. “You’ve got concrete mixers, water bowsers, lorries and horses that litter our roads, which makes the road’s texture dangerous for motorcyclists and cyclists alike,” he says.
Transport Malta is installing the first motorcycle strips in Malta on the Coast Road with the motorcycle strips being attached to the lower part of the crash barriers. In case of an accident, motorbike riders do not crash into the pillars and the lower part of the barriers. However, while lauding the initiative, the association pointed out that the upper part of the barrier is still very sharp, and a motorcyclist can easily injure his hand.
31-year-old released from hospital following accident
Roger Zammit, a 31-year-old from Sliema, has just been released from hospital after suffering serious injuries following an accident in Burmarrad on 21 June. Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Mr Zammit insisted that drivers need to be more careful when it comes to motorcyclists. “I come across so many car drivers on their mobile phone; they do not look out for us and some do not even use their indicator. Besides that, the road surfacing in Malta is a joke – I ride my bike abroad, and the worse road there is safer than some of the roads here,” he said.
Tips for motorists
Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots.
Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections. Remember, if you look twice, you can save a life.
Indicators are there to be used
Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
Motorcyclists often adjust their position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind.