Infrastructure Malta seems to have become rather enamoured with pedestrian bridges. The agency has proposed the construction of already 4 new such bridges over a span of just a couple of months, with one planned for Attard across Triq l-Imdina, two in the heart of Msida at the junctions infront of Junior College and the Msida Police Station, and another at the intersection between Hamrun and Marsa on Triq is-Salib tal-Marsa. The permit for the latter has already been approved.

The main benefit of a pedestrian bridge would be to make crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists.  Of course the desired additional benefit (which is perhaps less advertised but more often the driving factor) would be that by pushing pedestrians and cyclists off the road, oncoming traffic will no longer have to stop at pelican crossings and can carry on moving unhindered.

Perhaps at face value pedestrian bridges may seem beneficial; who would oppose safer roads and less congestion? But are pedestrian bridges really the solution to these two amiable goals? 

Well, the actual degree as to how much pedestrian bridges contribute to improved safety for pedestrians or cyclists is questionable. Take the case of Msida. This town is an extremely central location within the North harbour area with a high population density through which a lot of people commute daily, and also a critical node for some of the most travelled public transport routes. The whole stretch of the marina extending between and beyond the two junctions where the pedestrian bridges are being proposed, experiences a lot of foot traffic and caters for a relatively large population of cyclists. Through the construction of the bridges, the pelican lights that serve as a speed reduction measure will be removed allowing all cars to zip through Msida at faster speeds, no longer having to consider slowing down at any point. So would faster speeds in the core of all this movement and activity really make the place safer?

Something else to consider is the intended users’ experience. Pedestrian bridges are being claimed to be for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists - so will pedestrians’ and cyclists’ experience really improve?

Again, taking the case of Msida, the bridges might actually be more of a burden than a benefit. Due to the restricted area over which these structures are being proposed, neither of the pedestrian bridges will be accessible via a sloped ramp. Pedestrians and cyclists will have to use the stairs or wait for a lift. For some a flight of stairs may be too tiring, and for others, such as those that are wheelchair bound or physically impeded, simply impossible. Most cyclists would also have to resolve to using a lift. This in itself brings other challenges. These junctions cater for hundreds of pedestrians at peak hours with a constant flow of people travelling in both directions - will the lifts provided be sufficient to cater for all this foot traffic as well as the cyclists being forced to share these confined spaces? Has demand been factored in? Or are pedestrians and cyclists going to beleft waiting at the curb before trying to wedge themselves into a lift with strangers only to have to repeat the same inconvenience to get back down and finally across the road?

Most people tend to view the additional waiting time, increased physical effort or discomfort ofbeing crammed in a lift full of strangers as a burden, and would just choose to risk crossing. However it’s possible that people won’t even be able to since fences or other barricades would likely be put up to prevent it. And if barricades were put up to stop people from getting across, wouldn’t it prove the failed design of the pedestrian bridge, since its intended users wouldn’t choose to use it unless forced to?

So would these pedestrian bridges really support cyclists and pedestrians? Or is it just another measure to keep encouraging more car use?

Is all this really worth saving drivers from having to wait for a minute or two (if even that) at a pelican crossing to allow pedestrians toget across safely, conveniently and quickly on a shared street? Are those two minutes seated in the sheltered comfort of your car more of a burden than the extended delay and physical effort being forced on the pedestrian, exposed to the elements?

We are all pedestrians at some point in our day even if for some it is for only a minute or two. We all need safer roads, not just cyclists or those commuting with public transport. We need to stop prioritizing the movement of vehicles and start designing streets for people. This is especially true for vibrant town centres like Msida. Streets built around people are good for our environment, good for business and good for our health. What’s stopping us?

Tara Cassar is an architect focusing on planning policies and environmental issues related to land-use, active with a number of local eNGOs.

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