With reference to the article entitled Series Of Activities Planned To Promote Better Air Quality’ (August 31), the Bicycle Advocacy Group proudly states that part of the activities planned to be held in mid-September would be the launch of an ongoing European project to introduce electric vehicles.

Recognising that electric vehicles have an important, if not vital, role to play in reducing traffic emissions, BAG is confused by the Government’s failure to encourage the use of ‘pedelecs’ or electrically-assisted bicycles. This is because, as things stand now, it is as complicated to own and run a pedelec as a petrol engine powered bicycle, while the latter are, on average, half the cost.

The group has recently stepped back from its support of petrol engine machines that produce anything from 1.5Kw to 4Kw compared to the modest power output of a pedelec. At 250w, this is equivalent to a wand food mixer, found in most kitchens. This only assists the rider, the primary source of power being the rider himself.

This is why pedelecs have such a low emissions factor, yet still provide a useful level of physical exercise. They produce just 1g of carbon dioxide more than a bicycle per kilometre travelled. Kilometres that are travelled easily, even uphill – a big plus for the non-cycling Maltese public worried about sweating or struggling on hills.

BAG suggests that the Government offers grants to pedelec owners to encourage their uptake and make then as cheap as their petrol equivalents. This measure would also encourage investment in pedelec-based public bike share schemes and docking stations.

The group would like to see a total removal of the provisions on pedelecs, treating them as equal to bicycles, as in other European Union states. Doing so may also reduce the need to further tax motorists as bicycles help keep the national emissions debt down.