It was a sunny afternoon in late April, and the roads of Gozo were buzzing with the usual weekend traffic. Among them was a seasoned motorcyclist, revving his engine on the outskirts of Xewkija, ready to tackle the infamous ‘Bend of Doom’. Little did he know, this stretch of road would live up to its ominous name in the most unexpected way.

The ‘Bend of Doom’, a sharp curve along the Xewkija to Għajnsielem road, has long been a challenge for motorists and bikers alike. On this particular day, the motorcyclist, let’s call him Tony, was navigating the bend when a car, reportedly speeding, lost control and veered into his path. The collision was inevitable.

Tony was thrown from his bike, landing hard on the tarmac. Witnesses rushed to his aid, dialling 112 for an ambulance. The car’s driver, shaken but unharmed, stumbled out of his vehicle, his face pale with shock.

Within minutes, the familiar wail of sirens filled the air as an ambulance and police cars arrived at the scene. Tony was rushed to Gozo General Hospital, his condition critical but stable. The police cordoned off the area, beginning their investigation into the cause of the crash.

The news spread like wildfire among the tight-knit Gozo community. WhatsApp groups buzzed with concern, and social media was flooded with well-wishes for Tony. The ‘Bend of Doom’, it seemed, had struck again, leaving another biker injured in its wake.

This was not the first incident at the ‘Bend of Doom’, and it certainly won’t be the last if nothing changes. Local residents and bikers have been campaigning for years for improved safety measures along this stretch of road. Their cries have grown louder with each accident.

Tony’s friends have started a petition, demanding that the authorities install safety barriers, reduce the speed limit, and improve signage. They’re also calling for stricter enforcement of speed limits across Gozo.

“We’ve had enough,” said Mario, a long-time resident of Xewkija. “We need action, not just words. Our roads are not racetracks. They’re places where people live, work, and commute. We deserve to feel safe.”

As Tony recovers in hospital, his friends and family remain by his side. They’re hopeful that he’ll make a full recovery, but they’re also determined to ensure that no one else has to suffer like this.

“We’re fighting for Tony, and for everyone else who uses these roads,” said Tony’s friend, Lisa. “We want change. We need change. And we won’t stop until we see it.”