In the article ‘Harbour ferry’s success creating parking problem in Cottonera’ (timesofmalta.com, November 6), it was reported that Transport Minister Ian Borg told Parliament the ferry had been so successful it was causing parking problems in the Cottonera area and that the government would step up efforts to encourage investment in public car parks. This demonstrates a bizarre mindset in our approach to transport.

With a million passenger trips on the harbour ferries per year, we are clearly encouraging people away from car use.

Although there is a parking problem in the Cottonera area, there isn’t one in Valletta and far less traffic making its way through Floriana and Marsa. Having a car park in Cottonera will only encourage more cars.

If we are to have joined-up networks, we need joined-up thinking first. Encouraging people to use the bus to reach the Cottonera ferry landing points will not only reduce the number of cars needing to park but also increase parking capacity without the need for a car park. It’s a win-win situation. To do this, the ferry and bus service timetables need to mesh.

Regarding the issue of a national cycling policy, this was promised over two years ago. Eleven of the 12 monthly meetings on it were cancelled by Transport Malta. It was again promised before the last election. Therefore, while tantalising, cyclists are very sceptical whether it will happen and, being drawn up by non-cyclists, what it will contain.

We keep hearing we will have dedicated cycle lanes “where there is space” but much of that space has been gobbled up in road improvements over the last few months.

This has made cycling more dangerous than it needs to be, particularly for car drivers new to cycling and who the government is keen to see swap a car for a bike. Interestingly, it  is something traditionally solved by segregated cycle lanes, which might help to explain cycling lobbyists’ scepticism.