Chris Mifsud (No Country For Bicycles, November 4) commented that there were “obvious flaws” in a Talking Point article on “beating traffic jams” in Malta (29 October). There were, in fact, no flaws as described by Mr Mifsud in this article.

Malta was not compared with Amsterdam or Copenhagen. These two cities were mentioned as examples of the cultural shift from car-led transport to walking and cycling that is taking place in many European cities to combat traffic congestion.

London was cited as the most recent example of this trend.

As to Malta’s ‘hills’, this is a red herring. There are many hilly countries where the bicycle is popular. For instance, cycling is popular in Switzerland where people often cycle to work even if it involves some hill-climbing. Neither is cycling equivalent to a ‘marathon’ as Mr Mifsud suggests. If done regularly, cycling for short or medium distances, even to work, becomes effortless. The secret is never to be in a hurry and to wear clothing that’s as light as possible – so that one stays cool.

Many car journeys are short in Malta. They can easily be done by bicycle and do not necessarily include difficult hills. For instance Marsa, Ħamrun, Santa Venera, Birkirkara, Balzan, Lija, Attard, Mosta and Qormi occupy a relatively flat area so that travel between any of these by bicycle is relatively easy. The same applies to most of the St Julians/Sliema/Gżira/Msida/Pieta area, all of which are connected by a pleasant seaside promenade.

Objections based on Malta’s climate are exaggerated. In fact, our weather is perfect for cycling for most of the year. Neither is summer commuting to work a problem – it must be remembered that the outward journey is done early in the morning when it is cooler. Mr Mifsud has probably not experienced the challenging cycling conditions in Europe where cyclists have to contend both with fierce summer heat-waves and seriously sub-zero winter temperatures. The only reservation is rain.

When it rains, the bicycle is better left at home because it usually rains by the bucketful in Malta; you also get mercilessly splashed by passing cars.

Finally, Mr Mifsud failed to notice that the article was specifically about “21st Century Solutions”.

That the use of mopeds or motorcycles should be encouraged to help reduce traffic congestion is taken for granted and undisputed. This issue was omitted simply because the object of the article was to pinpoint Malta’s lack of encouragement of healthy mobility options as walking or bicycle use. It was, therefore, primarily about modern healthy trends as being implemented in many countries.

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