Rota – an NGO that advocates for safer and accessible active mobility on the Maltese Islands, has reacted to the appointment of Chris Bonnett as the new Transport Minister.

The NGO insisted that it is “now time to change gear.”

In a statement on Sunday, Rota said that it is “hopeful for positive change with the recent appointment of Chris Bonett as Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works.”

Recognising the challenges inherited by the Minister, Rota said that it urges Minister Bonett to “prioritise sustainable mobility and road safety for the benefit of the nation.”

Rota acknowledged the existence of “poorly designed projects” that it said, “pose significant risks to sustainable mobility users.”

“With Chris Bonett now in the driver’s seat, we see this an opportunity to change gear and tackle the issues which need immediate attention.” Rota said.

These include to:

1 Prioritise Sustainable Mobility: There is a critical need for a comprehensive focus on sustainable mobility, promoting eco-friendly transportation alternatives.

2 Re-evaluate the Msida Creek Project: Rethink the Msida Creek project to prioritise alternative mobility solutions over additional flyovers, offering safe links for all road users between Msida, University and Valletta.

Rota said that it presented an alternative layout back in 2022 to Infrastructure Malta, one that ensures the project safely connects all origins and destinations to all bicycle and mobility aid users:

3 Fix the Mgarr Bicycle Lane: Address the longstanding issue of the narrow Mgarr bicycle lane, which has posed a hazard for cyclists for over two years:

4 Improve Safety on Tal-Balal Road: Take immediate action on tal-Balal road, identified by cyclists as the most dangerous, by implementing measures to enhance safety.

5 Introduce Level Crossings in Marsa: Address the inadequacies of lifts on level crossings in Marsa, which have been frequently out of order. This can run beneath all 7 flyovers not affecting the vast majority of motorised flow, to ensure a continuous, unhindered connection through the bicycle path from Paola directly onto the quiet ways of Albert Town to Marsa and Hamrun.

6 Address the Driving Licences Racket Last year Rota was made aware that hundreds of drivers “allegedly obtained their driving license illicitly.” This poses a serious risk to road user safety and isn’t something which can simply be swept under the carpet.

7 Implement a Comprehensive Cycling Strategy Introduce, implement, and enforce a cycling strategy for Malta, aligning the nation with the standards set by other EU member states.

8 Provide safe cycling routes along St. Andrew’s Road St Andrew’s Road is a very important corridor linking the highly densely urbanised areas of Swieqi, Tal-Ibrag, Pembroke and Paceville. There has never been any thought to cycling and walking provisions.

Rota expressed optimism that Chris Bonett, as Minister, “possesses both the motivation and capability to bring about these much-needed changes.”

“We hope that the Minister’s proudest achievement at the end of the year will be a significant increase in bicycle users on the island, normalised for all ages and capabilities, rather than the release of a new video game,” it said.

Rota concluded by saying that, “we remain dedicated to collaborating with the Ministry and other stakeholders to achieve a more sustainable and cyclist-friendly Malta.”

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