The human cost of Malta's traffic fiasco

Abstract

On a Friday in March, a van drove out of a side street and smashed into my leg as I was riding my motorcycle. That was the start of a painful journey of recovery and an evaluation of whether my preferred mode of transport was reasonable in the chaotic traffic scenario that prevails in this country. I used my motorcycle to commute to work every morning. My decision to learn how to ride a bike and get the full licence was mainly prompted by the need to reduce commuting times and facilitate my search for parking. It was my small way of doing something about the traffic problem, even though I was not really doing it for altruistic purposes. Besides making commuting easier, riding a motorcycle is an enjoyable activity for many other reasons. The sense of freedom it gives you and the connection you establish with the outside environment are priceless. This is why I preferred using my bike whenever I could.