Are you still contemplating whether you should ditch the car and cycle to your morning meeting in a suit?
A group of ambassadors yesterday proved you can avoid traffic congestion and commute by bike in business wear when they cycled along the Ta’ Xbiex front following their monthly working breakfast.
The meeting, hosted by different ambassadors every month, was held at the Embassy of the Netherlands, which is joining fellow Dutch embassies to promote cycling as a mode of transport for everyone.
Throughout the EU presidency, Dutch embassies are organising several events as part of the Cycling Festival Europe to support the growing cycling culture in Europe.
So Ambassador Joop Nijssen yesterday invited colleague ambassadors and high commissioners to mount a bicycle to Whitehall Mansions on the other side of Ta’ Xbiex.
The group of around 15 ambassadors were cheered along the way by passers-by, some of them photographing the moment.
Specifically in Malta, it would be a very good means of transport, to reduce traffic congestion, improve health, the environment and even tourism
Following the symbolic ride, the ambassador told this newspaper that Malta needed more cyclists on the road. Cycling was not only beneficial health wise, but it also cut down on pollution and congestion.
“It’s evident that cycling, specifically in Malta, would be a very good means of transport, to reduce traffic congestion, improve health, the environment and even tourism.
“Tourism would benefit greatly if there were cycling facilities that would encourage visitors to commute by bike instead of having to wait for the bus or rent a car. Some might be put off cycling to work as they need to don formal wear, however, commuting to Valletta, where parking is limited, or to the beach, should be encouraged.”
The ambassador is inviting commuters to bike to Valletta on May 12 for a bicycle drive-in-cinema night. The open-air cinema, exclusive to cyclists, is being set up at St George’s Square, and the fun will kick off at 8pm. Organised with the support of the Bicycle Advocacy Group, the aim is to raise awareness about alternative modes of transport and mobility on an island that is “completely blocked by cars every day and lacks basic infrastructure for cycling”.
A large screen set up in the square will show a selection of films related to cycling: the Amsterdam cycling scene from Turkish Delight called Turks Fruit, a short film called Mama Agatha, and Vittorio de Sica’s pièce de résistance Ladri di Biciclette. All movies will be subtitled in English.
The festival kicked off yesterday and will end in June. More information is available at www.cyclingfestivaleurope.eu.