Local councils are being encouraged by the government to come up with a sustainable urban mobility plan for their locality that can be implemented within the next three years. The best plan will win the council €50,000
This is one of the initiatives launched by Transport Malta and the government to mark the European Mobility Week that will be held between September 16 and 22.
Local councils and NGOs are being encouraged to organise events for the week, which has been called Our Streets, Our Choice.
The best proposals from the five local regions, which need to include sustainable transport and better road management, will be allocated €2,000 each. NGOs can also come up with their own proposals and the best five will also be allocated €2,000 each.
Details about the European Mobility Week were given at a press conference this morning addressed by five members of cabinet: Ministers Anton Refalo, Leo Brincat and Joe Mizzi and Parliamentary Secretaries Michael Falzon and Stefan Buontempo.
Environment Minister Leo Brincat said climate change was a phenomenon that could not be ignored and discussions were no longer about whether the country should do something but what it should do to decrease emissions.
This was reiterated by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi who said the increase in cars in the past years had led to an increase in traffic congestion. This in turn had a negative effect on health and the environment.
The fourth activity held during this same week is the Malta National Bicycle Ride. Held under the patronage of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on September 21, Independence Day, and will kick off at 5pm from Belt is-Sebħ, go through Pieta to Balzan, Qormi, Floriana and end at St George’s Square in Valletta.
A €10 donation will be collected from every participant in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. The names of three participants will be drawn at random and win a pedelec.
The activities will culminate on September 22 – Car Free Day. Since this happens to fall within the first week of the scholastic year, the authorities are still discussing road management and will announce which road will be closed for the day in the coming weeks.