Cycling group expresses concern at EU Urban Mobility Survey

The Bicycling Advocacy Group (Malta) said that it was “deeply concerned” by the results of a recently-published Eurobarometer survey on Urban Transport which showed that 74% of Maltese cyclists encounter problems when travelling in cities and 57% expecting the situation to get worse.

“The results were the highest in the European Union, prompting the report to say that Malta had worrying traffic problems,” a statement issued by the Group read.

According to the report, Maltese respondents were also the most likely Europeans to be concerned that congestion (97%), air pollution (95%) and noise pollution (92%) were the most important problem areas facing commuters. Also, Maltese commuters felt that traffic congestion was a bigger problem than traffic accidents (86%) or the cost of travelling itself (64%).

Only 23% of Maltese respondents felt that the transport situation would improve, with 57% feeling it would actually get worse. This figure was the second highest across the EU.

While the Maltese were the most pessimistic of European commuters, as citizens they were only slightly likely (2%) above the EU average to do something about it themselves, with the highest expectation of all Europeans (68%) believing that solutions should come from the government.

“This seems to concur with the 63% of Maltese commuters, whose citizens used a car on a daily basis; placing themselves in the top five states most likely to do so. While this clearly added to the daily congestion faced by commuters, 72% of Maltese felt that awareness campaigns to use their car less was a good idea. Yet conversely, only 34% of Maltese respondents felt that they themselves should be responsible for reducing traffic in cities,” the statement read.

Malta was the least likely country to suggest that reduced public transport costs at 32%, the lowest in the EU, could reduce transport problems. 59% of respondents across the EU felt that this and better public transport (56%) could improve travel within cities.

The Urban Mobility survey noted that only 1% of Maltese cycled daily, the lowest in the EU and far below the EU average of 12%. Yet 33% of Europeans felt that better cycling and walking (28%) facilities could also help.

“This is significant for Malta, where results among Maltese respondents for improved cycling facilities were only (1%) less popular than restricting heavy vehicles, and where improvement in walking infrastructures was found to be as popular a solution as car sharing.”

“The Bicycling Advocacy Group is therefore asking for cycling, walking or ‘active transport’ - a new concept for Malta - to be given more importance, as these are low cost, sustainable ways to reduce the effects of car dependency, pollution and congestion while dramatically improving public health by helping citizens to be more physically active.”