Car-free country

Coming from a small western European country where more than a million people commute daily by bicycle and being one of the few cyclists who dare challenge the Maltese roads and traffic, I could not agree more with Harry Vassallo's opinion (September 24).

A car-free Malta is possible! In my view, convincing the Maltese public of this should not be a big problem as they all have healthy common sense. Here are some arguments:

The price of a bicycle comes nowhere close to that of a car. Add no insurance, virtually no maintenance, no tax and no fuel.

Personal transportation with the bike is twice as fast as that with a car and three times faster than by bus. I am referring to a trip from Sliema to Valletta during rush hour, including looking for parking space and admitting that I am in good physical shape. Nevertheless, distances are so limited and hills are of negligible altitude (except for Maghtab) that for all healthy Maltese there should be no problem.

You can park 10 bicycles in the space taken by one car.

Stimulating cycling would be an excellent counter measure to the alarming statistics mentioned in the competing newspaper stating that Maltese 15-year-old girls are the second most fat in the world.

The Mediterranean climate is perfect for cycling. Hardly any rain and in summer the velocity downhill gives you a very refreshing breeze.

Finally, cycling is so much more social than driving a car. While waiting at traffic lights, cyclists line up next to each other and greet, whereas the metal-boxed motorist just stands in the queue in frustration, unable to communicate except for horn use and indecent gesturing.

Therefore, I applaud the car- free initiative of the government (although the roadblock was too tight to pass through with the bicycle) and I applaud even more Dr Vassallo's vision of a car-free island. It would be so much better for the environment, tourism and the Maltese respiratory system.

Actions like this should make the public aware of the absolute need of dedicated bus and bicycle lanes.