Some 1,200 people were given subsidies this year on the purchase of bicycles.

The scheme was announced in the Budget speech and provided for refunds of 15.2% of the purchase price, as a way to encourage more people to use bicycles.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Clyde Puli, who made the announcement this morning said, that, clearly, more needed to be done to encourage people to cycle.

Mr Puli was speaking at a press conference during which Inspire, the foundation which runs services for people with disabilities, announced cycling events to coincide with International Car Free Day, on September 22.

Malta did not take part in the Car Free Day last year, but Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, who is responsible for the environment, said government initiatives in connection with the event would be announced shortly.

Both Mr Puli and Dr de Marco said that more people needed to be encouraged to cycle.

Dr de Marco observed that Malta, an island of 400,000 people, has 300,000 registered vehicles of which 230,000 are privately owned.

The average age of the vehicles is 15 years, much higher than on the continent.

This, he said, was a problem that needed to be addressed.

Officials from Inspire said they were holding two events - Cycle to Work and a fun cycle for charity.

Cycle to Work will encourage workers to cycle to work on September 22, Car Free Day, and employers taking part will be asked to donate a minimum of €10 for every employee who does so.

The fun ride will be held on Sunday September 26 and will feature a mass bike ride starting from Ta Qali and from Inspire at Marsascala at 9.30 a.m.. The two routes will converge at Blata l-Bajda and head for Palace Square, Valletta, where the event will end. Adults will be asked for a donation of €10 while children will be expected to donate €5.

Application forms are available from www.inspire.org.mt