Sliema council is planning to introduce a campaign to promote respect between cyclists and pedestrians, even if the initiative could actually break the law.
Though cyclists are clearly forbidden from riding in pedestrian areas, the Sliema council has no intention of enforcing the legislation.
“The council has always tolerated cyclists and these were never fined for using the promenade, especially since there is no infrastructure to accommodate cyclists on the side of the road,” councillor Pierre Portelli told The Times.
“We are working on a number of signs to inform cyclists not to ride at excessive or dangerous speeds. We believe that pedestrians and cyclists should coexist, provided everyone is sensible and careful,” he added.
A recent spate of bicycle-related incidents has sparked a debate on the need for better road safety.
But while many cyclists are calling for respect from road users, pedestrians, particularly the elderly, have complained about a lack of enforcement of bicycle regulations in areas like Sliema.
The council said there have not been “many” complaints about bicycle use on the Sliema front, even though such complaints sometimes appear in letters pages, particularly by those who use the promenade.
“We do not want to create a police state and bar people from enjoying their sport. It’s already bad enough that Sliema has hardly adequate spaces to practise outdoor sports,” said Mr Portelli, before adding that skateboards and rollerblades should be used at the Msida skate park, not the promenade.
Meanwhile, Transport Malta said it has not been informed of the council’s intentions to tolerate cyclists.
Asked whether the law would need to be amended for the council to go ahead with its plans, a spokesman said: “An amendment to the legislation would have to be based on studies which examine the implications, which would result if such change comes into force.”
Transport Malta said consultation would be necessary with the relevant stakeholders and therefore the authority was not in a position to comment further.