New bicycle lanes Proposal Malta Task 3.3 of the SEEMORE project Date of preparation of this document: final version 30.01.2015 Project Coordinator Local Councils Association Lili Vasileva lvasileva@lca.org.mt Start date of the project: April 2012 End date of the project: April 2015 Author of this document Company: F. Azzopardi & Associates and Local Councils Association Author s name(s): Perit Reuben Sammut, Lili Vasileva, Marvin Formosa sammut.reuben@gmail.com mformossa@yahoo.co.uk Project website: http://www.seemore-project.eu
Legal disclaimer: The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. SEEMORE is co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme of the European Commission and runs from April 2012 until April 2015.
New Bicycle Lanes Proposal Background The SEEMORE project aims at promoting and enhancing sustainable mobility in tourist destinations. Studies show that leisure travel accounts for 50% of all travel mileage in industrialized countries and is expected to grow further in the coming years. The impact of growing leisure travel is especially felt in tourist regions that have to cope with seasonal changes in transport demand and road congestion because of high levels of private car use. An inefficient organisation of mobility can lead to a decrease in the attractiveness of a destination. Also, destinations need to develop new products for growing target groups like low-cost travellers; ageing tourists that do not want to drive a car; and tourists demanding sustainable holidays. Bike tourism is an emergent way of understanding an array of economic activities involving cycling. It is where business, tourism, and advocacy meet. Bike tourism is a non-traditional and eco-friendly way of exploring the rich heritage of a particular country. In addition, bike tourism can mobilise the target groups in terms of energy efficiency and lower environmental impacts, helping to change mentalities and behaviors on mobility. In order for one country/ destination to enhance the bicycle use by its residents and tourists, it is essential to set up the necessary infrastructure. Thus apart from making bicycles or pedalics available for rent, it is also important to provide the cyclist with safety and comfort. Bicycle lanes, accompied by the necessary signs, form essential part of the bicycle infrastructure. Cycling is not yet a popular transport option in Malta. This might be due to the weather and geographical conditions, however, the lack of necessary infrastructure (bicycle lanes, signs, routes, bicycle sharing) also influence the behavior of residents and tourists when making their mobility choice. This document, proposes the set up of two new bicycle lanes with signs in Malta: Gzira- Valletta and Siggiewi- Zurrieq.
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bike lane sustainable tourism
The proposed locations are strategically selected in order to serve on national scale and cater for both locals and tourists. A minimum of one station is proposed to be placed to each of the below localities: South Region: 3 cities; Marsaxlokk, Zejtun, Marsascala, Birzebbuga, Blue Grotto, Siggiewi, Qrendi, Mqabba, Luqa, Paola (near MCAST). Central Region: Valletta, Sliema, St. Julians (near English schools and possibly another one near St. Julians Bay, Floriana (near cruise port), Hamrun, Msida (near UoM and near Junior college). North Region: Dingli, Rabat, Mdina, Naxxar, Mosta (near MCAST and near the Mosta dome). Gozo Region: Victoria, Xlendi, Masalforn, Mgarr, Dwejra
GZIRA 2015 VALLETTA CYCLING LANE
GZIRA VALLETTA 4.5KM GZIRA Manoel Island Marsamxett Harbour Msida Yacht Marina Sa Maison Gardens Argotti Gardens Il-Mall Valletta Gateway VALLETTA
Typical Plan Gzira Valletta Typical Section Gzira Valletta
SIGGIEWI ZURRIEQ 2015 CYCLING LANE
SIGGIEWI ZURRIEQ 7.4KM SIGGIEWI Siggiewi square Kappella tal-providenza Old runway Hagar Qim Temples Mnajdra Temples Wied iz-zurrieq Blue Grotto Wied Babu ZURRIEQ
Typical Section Siggiewi Zurrieq