Motorbiking in Malta and Gozo
Jan 17th, 2006, 09:45 AM
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Motorbiking in Malta and Gozo
Hello, we're thinking of going to Malta for 4 days in April and renting a motorbike. Does anyone know what the roads are like and if this is a good idea?
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 17th, 2006, 11:10 AM
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carrom, there have been a few posts in the past about driving on Malta and Gozo; you might try a search here.
We drove a rented car on Gozo for a week in 2002. Other than a brief adjustment to right-hand drive, we found it quite easy. There was little traffic, and the island is small enough that it is impossible to get lost. The roads are all two-lanes; watch for blind intersections. Also bear in mind that traffic signs are regarded as suggestions, not instructions.
Malta is a different kettle of fish. There is a lot more traffic, and the roads did not seem to be well-marked. I would describe Maltese drivers as fast and assertive. We used buses and taxis on Malta and had no difficulty zooming around to what we wanted to see.
So, that's a long way of saying that you'd probably be happy driving a motorbike on Gozo, but you may not feel quite as relaxed or comfortable driving on Malta itself.
Anselm
We drove a rented car on Gozo for a week in 2002. Other than a brief adjustment to right-hand drive, we found it quite easy. There was little traffic, and the island is small enough that it is impossible to get lost. The roads are all two-lanes; watch for blind intersections. Also bear in mind that traffic signs are regarded as suggestions, not instructions.
Malta is a different kettle of fish. There is a lot more traffic, and the roads did not seem to be well-marked. I would describe Maltese drivers as fast and assertive. We used buses and taxis on Malta and had no difficulty zooming around to what we wanted to see.
So, that's a long way of saying that you'd probably be happy driving a motorbike on Gozo, but you may not feel quite as relaxed or comfortable driving on Malta itself.
Anselm
Jan 18th, 2006, 04:07 PM
#6
We had been warned before our trip to Malta about the bad drivers but didn't see any crazy or terrible driving at all. Nowhere near as bad as places like Bangkok and Naples. Roads on Malta seemed fine, sometimes quite narrow where the bus had to 'breathe in' and squeeze down between the houses. Villages built well before vehicles I guess. Parking would be the biggest problem.
We had a jeep on Gozo and roads weren't as good, some holes and poorly maintained. Also very easy to get lost and go around in circles but the island is so small it didn't seem to matter. It's easy to see landmarks such as the citadel in Victoria and head that way.
It can get quite hot in Malta, would an airconditioned car be better for comfort and security for your things?
Kay
We had a jeep on Gozo and roads weren't as good, some holes and poorly maintained. Also very easy to get lost and go around in circles but the island is so small it didn't seem to matter. It's easy to see landmarks such as the citadel in Victoria and head that way.
It can get quite hot in Malta, would an airconditioned car be better for comfort and security for your things?
Kay
