Adults on bicycles may soon be banned from the St Julian’s promenade if a proposal by the local council is approved by the local government department.

The St Julian’s council recently approved an internal document that called for the banning of bicycles and stalls on the popular promenade.

“The promenade is there for the public and not for people whizzing around on bicycles,” mayor Peter Bonello told The Sunday Times.

The proposed bylaw, which was unanimously approved during a council meeting, was sent to the Local Government Department – as per protocol – for vetting.

However, children and people with a disability will still be able to use their bicycles on the promenade.

“We are not saying that children cannot ride bicycles there – obviously if there is a young child on a bicycle and accompanied by his or her parents, we are not going to stop them,” Mr Bonello said.

The proposed bylaw was also brought about by a number of complaints the council received from residents and pedestrians who were almost hit by cyclists using the promenade.

“It’s impossible to have a situation where people are trying to walk while people are cycling at high speeds and passing by inches away from them,” Mr Bonello said.

Asked about the possible backlash to this bylaw especially from cyclists, Mr Bonello was blunt: “It’s not my problem – they can go cycling elsewhere but the promenade is not their place,” he said.

The draft bylaw also proposes removing the stalls and stands that offer different wares along the promenade.

“These must go – there are people who set up their own businesses and open their shops while these just set up on the promenade,” Mr Bonello said.

The stalls, sometimes placed very close to one another, are also a nuisance according to the mayor.

“They sometimes block the pavement, making it difficult for people to pass,” he said.