Cyclist lanes on the drawing board

Cyclists will finally be able to ride through certain parts of Malta without fear of being run over by motorists once a number of planned cycle lanes are completed.

The first cycle lane, which should be ready towards the end of the year, will be a 2.2km-stretch between Tal-Qlejja, l/o Mosta, and Mgarr.

The road itself is set to open around September with the cycle lane built shortly afterwards, according to Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett.

Additional cycle lanes, as well as the construction of wider footpaths for ramblers and walkers are planned along a number of other roads.

Many cyclists have long been expressing their frustration, through letters in The Times, on non-existent cycle lanes so the creation of such paths should be welcome.

Mr Mugliett highlighted the government's road plans and projects during the launch of the European Red Cross Road Safety campaign that aims to promote safe driving practices.

"Promising campaigns such as this one helps in promoting best practices in road safety education based on the examples of successful initiatives developed by other countries," he said.

Twenty-four European Red Cross societies, including Malta's, have joined forces to launch this Europe-wide road safety campaign to save lives.

Over 100 people die each day on Europe's roads, the equivalent of one person every 12 minutes and with this in mind Red Cross societies in each country are promoting road safety awareness and first aid skills over the next months.

The campaign, supported by Toyota Motor Europe and the European Commission, will see the participation of four Maltese youths journeying across Europe.

"Of all road users, youths and children are one of the classes that are at greater risk of being involved in a traffic accident," Mr Mugliett said during the launch.

Of the 1,281 persons who were reported injured in traffic accidents in Malta last year, 468 were aged 24 or under. That is more than 36 per cent of the total, he said.

Mr Mugliett pointed out that the campaign coincided with the largest road upgrade programme ever witnessed in Malta.

"We believe in proper road construction practices as a means to increase the safety on these roads and that is why we put this matter high on our agenda," he said.

Mr Mugliett went on to mention the realignment of carriageways to cut the incidence of bends in these roads; the redesign and widening of junctions to offer greater visibility to drivers; efficient storm water systems to ease the rain water runoff and avoid flooding and the installation of crash barriers along most of these new roads to stop traffic accidents from spilling over onto opposing carriageways and involve other vehicles, among many others.

"We cannot afford to leave crucial matters such as road safety to the governments alone. The fact that more road safety brings about fewer injuries and deaths should be enough to make this topic a high priority of non-governmental organisations and the private sector," Mr Mugliett said.