Rota has presented a list of 17 proposals aimed at improving road safety and increasing bike riders on the islands ahead of the 2024 Budget.

From narrower roads to sustainable design standards to “road dieting”; the organisation is proposing measures that it believes will increase sustainability and make the island more accessible to bike riders. 

Malta releases an annual budget with hundreds of measures aimed at sustaining economic growth in a post-pandemic environment against a volatile global economic and geopolitical backdrop.  It also introduces several environmental and sustainability-related measures in order to facilitate the EU’s green transition and reach the national climate-related goals.

Moreover, leading up to the drafting of this budget, several civil society actors submit their own proposals relevant to the sector/s they are involved in to broaden the scope of the budget, ensuring that it includes a variety of areas of interest to the Maltese public.

Below are 10 of Rota’s proposals:

1. Commuting by bicycle

Rota proposes a target to have at least 10% of all commutes be by bicycle within the next legislature.

2. Legally protecting bicycle users and pedestrians

Presumed Liability for motor vehicle users entails the reversal of the burden of proof on motorcyclists or car drivers, as the case may be, in the event of an accident involving a cyclist. We need to explore the possibility of creating a juris tantum presumption in favour of cyclists and shift the onus of proof onto motor vehicle users.

This principle is already being indirectly applied in cases involving pedestrians – a mere extension of such a notion in favour of cyclists would be a step forward in the right direction, the organisation wrote.

3. Insurance cover for bicycle users

The introduction of government-funded personal and vehicular insurance for bicycle users. While Rota maintains the position that the acquisition of insurance should remain optional, a publicly funded alternative can lead to a significant uptake of insured bicycle users.

“Insured bicycle users should be protected against bicycle theft, third-party damage, and damage to the bicycle.”

4. Incentivising sustainable transport

Rota applauds existing fiscal instruments such as grants and tax exemptions on bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, kick scooters and public transport, however, Rota encourages the continuation and expansion of such programmes with, for example, employee-driven measures to provide monetary incentives (e.g. tax credits or bonuses) for those cycling to work.

5. Lighting and CCTV cameras 

Many popular cycle routes pass through footbridges, alleyways and areas which are not well-lit in the evenings. This is done to avoid busy roads dominated by motor vehicles. Having said this, these areas put cyclists, pedestrians and kick-scooter users at risk for their personal safety. This discourages cycling in the evenings, especially for women, Rota explained.

Therefore, the organisation proposes the installation of more artificial lighting in popular bike routes, as well as the introduction of CCTV cameras in areas which are considered more dangerous.

6. Narrower car lanes

The width of a car lane is directly proportional to the speed at which a motor vehicle travels. So, the wider a lane, the faster a motorised vehicle is likely to move, the document reads.

This is often a larger determinant of speed than the official speed limit put in place. Rota recommends that lane width should directly reflect the speed limits put in place across the road network.

Narrower car lanes can further create more space for pedestrians, cyclists and other sustainable transport users, Rota said.

7. Separated sustainable infrastructure on main roads

Rota proposes a bicycle network, created to cater for sustainable road users, that connects locations of interest to each other and provides a safe route throughout the islands. This includes segregated infrastructure where necessary.

“On many occasions, road widening is not needed, with redistribution of space being enough. Lane narrowing and other smart initiatives can be introduced to cater for both car users and sustainable transport users.”

8. Better and more regular bike racks

The installation of secure and covered bike racks in strategic areas around the residential and commercial areas would allow residents and visitors to park their bicycles safely overnight or for extended periods of time.

The availability of bicycle racks at various employment nodes could form part of green transport plans which employers can adopt and implement. Secure, on-street bicycle racks/storage in high-density urban areas would encourage bicycle ownership among those living in flats with, potentially, less space to store bicycles inside.

9. More suitable design standards

Rota is calling for the adoption of a national cycling policy which incorporates national design standards of safe cycling, as outlined by the European Union and the European Cyclist Federation. The CROW Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic should also be referenced for designing the suitable infrastructure.

10. Safer residential roads

“Firstly, Road dieting. This would not only decrease speeds but also increase space for residents to be able to use wider and more comfortable pedestrian areas.”

“Secondly, prioritisation of pedestrianised areas. Smooth tarmac encourages speed, something which can be especially dangerous and unpleasant in residential areas. Rota therefore proposes changing road surfaces to cobblestones for pedestrians and a specialised tarmac aggregate which is painted using the appropriate paint to indicate bicycle priority.”

“Thirdly, street-level crossings or, if truly necessary, comfortable and wide underpasses or overpasses, to reconnect old roads together.”

It must be noted that changing road surfaces to cobblestones may not be conducive to safety when considering the use of wheelchairs and the presence of the elderly who are more likely to trip and fall on unsmooth surfaces.

To read the rest of Rota’s proposals click here.

Do you think that any of the outlined proposals should be implemented in the 2024 Budget?