The Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change, Leo Brincat addressed a press conference to formally launch European Mobility Week 2014. The point of Mobility week, which starts on 16 September and continues until 22 September, is to create awareness about various modes of sustainable transportation and to emphasize that the country has to change the attitude of its citizens towards these types of transportation.

The Minister said that today they will announce the names of the Local Councils and NGOs which, in the opinion of an independent panel, submitted the best suggestions for activities to be organized throughout this week with the theme “Our ??Streets, Our Choice”, and conveying the key message that improving the quality of life is, and must continue, to be the main target of the Government, as well as local NGOs in Malta and Gozo. When a country succeeds in reducing pollution from transport it improves the health of its citizens, while also reducing the impact on climate change, the Government noted.

According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, commissioned by the European Commission, while problems in urban areas, including traffic congestion, are a concern for many (especially because of the impact on air quality), the majority of Maltese respondents believe that the Government is doing its share to protect the environment.

Minister Brincat said that the Government received 22 submissions from local councils and NGOs which he considered a good number considering the rather strict deadlines. Thirteen of these were from local councils while 9 were submitted by NGOs. Those organizers who were shortlisted were encouraged to record their activities on the European Commission’s European Mobility Week website.

The Minister said that the Ministry is committed to continuing to work on two important draft laws in relation to European Mobility Week: the law on climate change, and the law on noise pollution.

Minister Brincat concluded by thanking fellow Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries for their joint co-operation, along with MEPA. 

Mr. Peter Paul Barbara, coordinator of local activities that form part of the European Mobility Week campaign, announced the proposals that have been selected and the activities that will take place during the whole week. He explained that € 2,000 will be given for the organization of these activities.

Local councils selected are:

1.    Valletta

2.    Gharb, Gozo

3.    Naxxar

4.    Cospicua

5.    Marsaxlokk

While non-governmental organizations selected are:

1.    St George Band Club, Qormi

2.    Bicycle Advocacy Group

3.    Youth Committee of the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria

4.    Kazin tal-Banda Madonna tal-Gilju, Mqabba

Activities:

From the 16th September until Monday 22 September, Cospicua Local Council will be offering an energy efficient public transport service daily between 8.00am and mid-afternoon. This service will be free.

16 to 18 September 2014

The Bicycle Advocacy Group will organize events to identify three potential bike routes, with these routes available for consultation on Sunday 21 September at the National Bicycle Ride, to be held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Malta. The aim is to help provide safety for cyclists when sharing the roads with motorists.

18 September 2014

Il-Kazin tal-Banda Madonna tal-Gilju, Mqabba will be organizing an exhibition of electric cars.

19 September 2014

St George Band Club, Qormi, will be organizing activities in Qormi between noon and 19:00.

20 September 2014

The Youth Committee of the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, Gozo is organizing activities between 9:00 and 10:30 and between 15:00 and 18:00 in Pjazza Santu Wistin, and a concert between 10:30 and 11:30 in Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo.

The Naxxar Local Council will also be organizing activities including cycling, and informational stands on energy and the environment, among other activities.

21 September 2014

Kazin tal-Banda Madonna tal-Gilju will be organizing activities for the whole family in Imqabba. These will include an exhibition of vehicles powered by electricity, with Segway demonstrations, a walking tour of Imqabba, health education, and road safety education for children.

On the morning of 21 September the Fisherman’s Wharf area of Marsaxlokk will be pedestrianized. Activities will continue in the evening when Fish Fest will be held in collaboration with the Secretariat of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.

The National Bicycle Ride is being organized under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Malta. Donations of € 10 will be given to the Community Chest Fund.

22 September 2014

On 22 September, as part of Car Free Day, Valletta Local Council will be offering Shuttle Bus services at a subsidized price from parks around the city. Tickets will be offered at a subsidized price in a number of establishments around the city throughout the week. The Valletta Ferry Service will also be offering subsidized prices for the journey between the City, Sliema and Cottonera, for Car Free Day.

Other activities will be organized by Gharb local council, Gozo on Sunday. Activities include planting a number of trees, electric car shows and other activities for the whole family.