Thoughts and happenings from a life on Malta

There's a bit of a debate at the moment about updating the country's constitution and this being a democracy, every Cali, Johnny and Joey has a right to make their recommendations. Here's one which brought a smile to my face, whichever way I looked at it:

"...the constitution should make sure that having ID cards and a telephone directory expired by over 7-8 years should be a priority to be reviewed."

Times of Malta on-line 29 April 2012

What's the suggestion exactly?

• expired telephone directories become a constitutional right?
• we have the right to file a constitutional case against the government should a private telephony company not update the directory?

I hope this doesn't put another wild idea into the head of the former US Ambassador Douglas Kmiec, such as adopting the Catholic bible as this island's bedrock of rights!

A year has gone by and the Arab spring of 2011 is still in season.

This video was taken in February 2011.

Related post: Anti-Mubarak protest - collage

Safe cycling: A guide

Avoid lorries

Never wait between the kerb and a lorry at a junction. If the lorry turns left, the driver may not see you. Stay well behind or, preferably, in front, where you can be seen.

Stay clear of the kerb

The kerb is not your friend. Ride clear of it so that drivers steer around you. Hugging the pavement invites them to try and scrape past.

Show your face

Looking at drivers at junctions helps them to view you as a fellow road user they would rather not run over. Do the same to vehicles on your tail.

Use your neck

Learn how to look over your shoulder without wobbling and do so regularly – particularly before making a manoeuvre, when you should also stick out an arm.

Obey the code

Some may argue that it is safer, say, to jump a red light than wait in a lorry's shadow but egregious violations endanger you and harm the image of cyclists.

Overtake buses

If you're approaching a bus at a stop, look over your shoulder, and move to overtake. If you can't, wait behind the bus. Never undertake.

Be bright

It's more important to show your face and position yourself well, but bright clothing, strong lights and reflectors will help you get noticed.

Plan your route

It stands to reason that you're probably more vulnerable in three lanes of traffic doing 40mph than on a residential side street.

Find a friend

If you're a new or lapsed cyclist, venture out with a more experienced friend. Keep a good distance behind and watch. Then let them follow you and take their advice.

These tips are taken from The Independent. For the full article, please go to - The 'ghost bike' revolt: Families demand action on cyclist deaths