I am sure that if Roads Minister Austin Gatt were really fully aware of the state of the roads, he would do something serious about them. They are hurting people – they are, at least, causing me some sharp pain.

I am a fairly active person, even doing some agricultural work regularly to keep fit, and went one further recently by buying a bicycle to pedal around.

The roads hurt. Just 20 minutes on my bicycle, which is a rather good two-wheeler, is enough to make me pause in discomfort. All those humps and bumps, and little holes which I cannot avoid, are torture to my groin. It takes fully 10 minutes for me to walk properly after a 20-minute stint on the bicycle. The stabs of pain in my meat marbles – I am sure Dr Gatt knows exactly what I am referring to – as I ride the rough roads are highly uncomfortable. And I have not ridden the bike on the atrocious Vjal il-Haddiem in my hometown.

I have now bought a €4.99 Gel bike saddle from Lidl. It gives me a better, softer seat. Perhaps Dr Gatt, responsible for the horrible state of our roads, would care to reimburse me the cost? I have the Lidl receipt as proof of purchase.

I have not yet tried the saddle. But even if it turns out to be no good, it is Dr Gatt’s roads failure which made me buy it. I honestly believe he owes me.

Roger Mifsud

Rabat