Is It Scooters Taking Up Space Or The Absurd Amount Of Cars? Rota President Asks
Rota president Daniel Vella has questioned whether it is the “absurd” amount of cars or e-scooters which are taking up space on the island.
E-scooters have been at the centre of controversy over the last few days, due to issues arising from a lack of infrastructure to accommodate the method of transportation.
“Is it scooters that are taking up our space or is it the absurd number of cars, parking spaces and wasted road space that are stealing space from us?” Vella told Lovin Malta.
“The approach we’ve seen from politicians, excluding a select few, portrays the picture that scooter use is the problem. I think we’re barking up the wrong tree since they are a great micro-mobility solution,” he said.
Vella expressed that while he understands people’s frustration, it is all a result of a lack of planning and lack of enforcement.
“It is frustrating to not be able to walk on pavement because it’s obstructed by scooters, or having scooters placed haphazardly around our streets.”
“However, this is what it means to be living in a car-centric society, that is further perpetuated by the unwillingness to move away from it by politicians.”
“A scooter takes up much less space than a car, pollutes less, and effectively reduces the number of cars on the roads. If anything, we should be prioritising them, without infringing pedestrian access.”
Rota is therefore continuing to call for the creation of a national cycling policy, to guarantee efficient use of road space which is highly relevant for the scooter issues, because essentially bicycle infrastructure provides accessible space for many micro-mobility solutions.
“Focusing on car-first infrastructure will only lead to more cars, air and noise pollution, and less livable spaces. The battle against scooters will encourage further car use, and that is a step in the wrong direction,” he concluded.
PN MP Eve Borg Bonello has also recently called for the suspension of rental e-scooter licenses, until a proper solution for infrastructure and enforcement is identified and put in place.
PN MP Graham Bencini also similarly called for setting up designated drop-off zones, and for a user to keep on being charged for a ride up until they drop off the scooters in the designated drop-off zone.
The Malta Guide Dogs Foundation has also warned that the situation is presenting a very real danger to the visually impaired who use the island’s streets to travel using guide dogs or canes.
READ NEXT: ITS Campus At Smart City Approved By Planning Authority
