It is sad to read letters expressing such old-fashioned and dangerous views as those of Jean Karl Soler (Cyclists vs Drivers? No Thank You, February 23).

Ironically, page three of the very same issue of The Times carried a full-page article about the high incidence of obesity in Malta. No wonder. As long as we persist in such antiquated, obesogenic car-fixated attitudes, as evident in Dr Soler’s letter, Malta will retain its gold-medal position in the world obesity leagues. Such views as expressed by Dr Soler are so outdated that one can see the cobwebs and smell the mothballs.

Attitudes changed long ago; car restraint measures started to be implemented in sophisticated countries decades ago so that urban roads and streets are now adapted in favour of healthy mobility options as walking, cycling and use of public transport. For instance, whereas most of Malta is out in a car for the traditional Sunday drive (interrupted by a fattening mid-day meal), families on the European continent go biking together to enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. And, horror of horrors, they even talk to each other while out cycling!

As to Dr Soler’s arguments against lowering urban speed limits, can Dr Soler kindly quote peer-reviewed data which contradict strong scientific evidence that 30kph (20 mph) speed limits in or near urban areas reduce traffic accidents by 60 per cent and cut child, pedestrian and cyclist accidents by almost 70 per cent? (See: Reducing The Speed Limit To 20 mph In Urban Areas, British Medical Journal J 2000; 320:1160).