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Things I Learnt While Biking To Work In Malta

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When the #bike2work campaign asked me to try cycling my daily commute, my first reaction was genuine laughter. To me it seemed like a physical impossibility to cycle from Naxxar to Valletta. When you’re deeply unfit (like one in four of us Maltese) the first things that come to mind are profuse sweating and/or heart attacks. But when they told me they’d give me an e-bike to try out (thanks to The Cyclist in San Gwann), I thought it’ll be worth a shot. Turned out it was my most rewarding commute ever. I arrived to work with a sense of accomplishment and I started to wonder: why don’t I do this everyday?  

1. It’s faster than driving, especially during rush hour traffic

It took exactly 40 minutes for me to cycle from Naxxar (my house) to Valletta Hub, where I work. A drive at rush hour will invariably take longer than that, not to mention the added time to find parking.

Chris

2. Most drivers are really respectful of cyclists

I was impressed by the courteous behaviour of the vast majority of drivers. My physique probably helped in that they could tell I was an inexperienced cyclist. But I also got the feeling most people appreciated that I wasn’t another car on the road.

Chris Bike 1

3. Especially when they have a GoPro stuck to their helmets

Yes, the GoPro serves as a great warning sign to the few drivers intent on being dicks to cyclists. Just a short word of advice: apparently it’s unsafe to stick a GoPro to your helmet, because it could interfere with the helmet dynamics in the case of a fall. So best to keep the GoPro attached to your bike instead. 

Chris 2

4. You can find routes that avoid hills

Loads of people say they’d bike it to work if they lived in a less hilly country. But if you plan your route you’d be surprised by how easy it is to find flat routes. We cycled through Birkirkara via Hamrun and then down to the Valletta waterfront. 

Chris Gif

5. E-bikes are the future and must be subsidised ASAP

E-bikes are not to be confused with the loud motorised bikes you sometimes see whizzing past you dangerously. E-bikes have an integrated electric motor that gives you added propulsion and makes steep gradients seem much less steep. The problem is that you’d need to spend about €2,000 to buy one. 

Chris Biking More

6. It’s easier with a buddy

It can seem a bit lonely on the road if you’re cycling alone. Sometimes you need someone to cover you while you cross a road. And car drivers might give you more space if they see two cyclists rather than one.

Chris More More

7. Malta has A LOT of pastizzerias

When you’re cycling you actually get to smell the air around you and that includes wafting scents of freshly baked pastizzi. It’s crazy how many there are around the island. Cycling gives you the opportunity to explore new routes, including sights and smells that you’re likely to ignore while driving.

Chris Is Drawn To The Light

Chris sees the light

8. Road grating is terrible if it’s not against the route

If you can’t put cycle lanes everywhere, the least Transport Malta could do is make sure road grating isn’t built in parallel with the roads. Bicycle tyres could easily get stuck in them. They must be built at opposite angles instead.

Chris 4

9. Business owners should provide shower facilities

Most people don’t sweat as much as I do but it would be nice to know you could arrive, shower and start the day feeling fresh again. 

Chris Nearly Dies

10. And a company car (or driver) to get to meetings

This is probably the biggest barrier for people whose work doesn’t involve staying at an office all day. But if a bunch of people cycled to work and then your boss provided a company car or driver to get to your meetings throughout the day, it could solve the problem. 

Chris Rules

Chris behaves and obeys the road rules.

11. There’s nothing more fun than seeing road rage and traffic while you’re cycling

The contrast between their rage and your zen is enough to make it all worthwhile. 

Chris Chill

12. It gets scary. Make sure you indicate with your hands, take precaution and remain focused

Don’t get too lost in the thrill of it all because you could find yourself flying over a car door that’s just been opened in front of you. 

Shoulder Glance

13. You can spend 40 minutes without looking at your phone

Although if you’re anything like me you’ll spend all the time you save on your phone as soon as you arrive. Cycling also makes you realise how dangerous it is to use your phone while driving. There were at least three times when I was praying aloud for a car to see me and not be distracted with the phone. 

Chris Again

14. All that fresh air and movement really wakes you up for the day

It’s way better than coffee.

Beautiful View

15. This can be a way of life

If I did this everyday, I’m convinced I’d be a much happier person. 

Lovin It

16. The sweat is real, so you’ll need a change of clothes

Also, deodorant is your friend.

Side Streett

17. Your ass will be sore

But some of us are used to that. 

Chris Final

18. The bragging rights more than make up for any hardship

Xeba Facebook likes u hekk. 

Chris Cover

19. Cyclists should be rewarded

A lot of small things could make a big difference. One example is the Upper Barraka Lift which could help cyclists avoid the Ġlormu Cassar uphill. It should be available for free to cyclists. 

Chris Has Made It

Thinking of cycling to work? You can win an e-bike if you do but hurry because the competition closes at the end of this month. Click here for details. The winner will be announced by Lovin Malta. 

Do you cycle to work? Share this post with a friend to encourage them to try it!

READ NEXT: Here’s What Two People Found At A Maltese Nature Reserve

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.

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