Walking, cycling initiative welcomed

The annoucement that a department is to be created in the new Transport Authority to promote a culture of cycling and walking in Malta has been welcomed by the Public Policy Institute.

It congratulated the Transport Minister on this initiative and said that given the correct change in attitude and increased awareness, a trend towards a healthy and environment-friendly style of life would hopefully contribute to a healthier environment.

"TPPI agrees that a culture change is badly needed to bring about a decrease in pollution from vehicle emissions and a healthier way of life."

It said that considerable thought was given to the subject of making roads more friendly to pedestrians, children and cyclists when drawing up its report "Towards a Low Carbon Society: The Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels".

This report offered a multitude of suggestions of how this could be achieved. Many of the recommendations could be implemented at little or no cost and these should form an integral part of a holistic policy aimed at the reduction of Malta's traffic pollution, the TPPI said.

This initiative was last week also welcomed by the environmental groups Rambers Association and Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar.