Last Sunday’s editorial (‘Scratching the surface’, January 10) was devoted to a critique of the Prime Minister’s New Year speech. The comparison with Simon Busuttil’s bicycle ride on car-free day months ago was misplaced because it occurred in a totally different context, namely, car-free day.

Busuttil’s stunt was combined with well-meant promotion of a healthy form of transport, it also gave out a good example and the message it conveyed was entirely positive:  ‘Beat the Traffic, Cycle to work. Keep fit.’

The editorial went on to state that Busuttil’s stunt “was tarnished when the obvious was pointed out: that vehicles were required to film his cycle ride”. This is also unfair comment, especially when the rest of Malta (including our ministers) systematically ignore car-free day, year after year.

Busuttil’s linking of propaganda to promoting a healthy transport option was more positive and subtle than anything we have we have ever had from any politician. In this context, is it not about time we saw an MP on a bicycle?

Such disparagement of a positive initiative that promoted a healthy mobility option was disappointing. It also reflected Malta’s negative attitude to active transport which contrasts with advanced Western countries where efforts are being made to induce a shift to active transport.

Let us take London as an example. London was arguably the most bicycle-unfriendly city on the planet until about 10 years ago. As a result of promotion of bicycle use and introduction of bicycle infrastructure, bicycles have become an integral element of London transport and now account for 16 per cent of journeys, with between a quarter and half of all journeys on some routes occurring during peak hours.

The frustration with traffic congestion is starting to induce many people to consider using a bicycle and there are now many people who wish to take up the bicycle for short/medium trips. The number of people commuting regularly in Malta is still barely perceptible but it is increasing.  This is to be encouraged. The adage ‘If you make it safe, people will ride’ should be the fundamental basis for getting people out of a car on to a bicycle in Malta.

Finally, this letter is not to be misconstrued as a partisan political statement, because it is not. It is the opinion of a health professional who is trying to encourage a healthy way of life in line with the recommendations in a recently launched Think Tank report.