Car free day, an EU-wide initiative which coincides with European Mobility Week, is being celebrated in Floriana, Vittoriosa, Fgura, Mellieħa, Naxxar, Mosta, Ħamrun, Nadur and Xewkija today.

The councils and several NGOs have planned several activities to take over the streets, usually swamped by traffic.

In St Anne Street, Floriana, Mass was organised first thing this morning.

Vittoriosa council closed the core of the city to traffic and is encouraging cycling or walking.

Fgura served a healthy breakfast and organised different sports activities.

Inspire had two cycling groups leaveg from its premises in Marsaskala and from Mdina. They met in Floriana and headed to Sliema together.

There are fun runs, bicycle races and zumba sessions in Naxxar and Mosta, a charity car-boot sale and a roaming restaurant serving traditional local food in Nadur, as well as traditional children’s games in Nadur and Ħamrun.

The NGOs supporting the activity were Earth Malta, the Bicycle Advocacy Group, Inspire, The Don Bosco Oratory and Clear Dimension Training Centre.

The Bicycle Advocacy Group is running an adult training session at Ta’ Qali aimed at those who do not know how to ride a bicycle.

The Don Bosco Oratory is organising street football and a bicycle treasure hunt in Victoria and Marsalforn, while Clear Dimension Training Centre will use art and dance to highlight the day’s objectives.

Friends of the Earth Malta is running a photography and writing competition, inviting people to send in photos and articles that provide lively impressions of their travel around the Maltese islands using alternative means.