ADPD-The Green Party argues that Malta's road system continues to prioritise private cars at the expense of communities, contributing to congestion, pollution, unsafe streets, and a declining quality of life. Despite official commitments to sustainable transport, government policy remains inconsistent, with ongoing road widening projects undermining efforts to promote alternative mobility. The spread of pedestrian bridges across major roads, the party says, signals a clear reality: public space is being designed primarily for vehicles, not people.

Speaking in Msida near the site of a proposed pedestrian bridge, ADPD representatives criticised decades of car-centric planning. Public Relations Officer Brian Decelis said roads have been designed with vehicles in mind, resulting in unsafe and inaccessible spaces for pedestrians.

Pavements are frequently obstructed by commercial activity, forcing people into the road and putting vulnerable groups at risk. He added that pedestrian bridges in areas such as Msida, Swieqi, Marsa, and Imrieħel often prioritise traffic flow over pedestrian convenience, pushing people into indirect and impractical routes rather than ensuring safe crossings at street level. Infrastructure, he argued, should adapt to people-not the other way around.

Decelis also pointed to a broader failure in long-term planning, noting that policies aimed at moving more cars have only led to wider roads, increased parking, and ultimately more traffic. Meanwhile, public spaces are being eroded, and pedestrians-including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities-are increasingly marginalised. This approach, he said, amounts to exclusion rather than effective mobility.

Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci called for an urgent transition to a people-first mobility system. Central to this vision is the reallocation of road space in line with the mobility pyramid, prioritising walking, cycling, and public transport while reducing reliance on private cars.

ADPD proposes a five-point strategy: redesigning streets with wider pavements, safe crossings, and cycling infrastructure; investing in a reliable public transport system, including a Bus Rapid Transit network with dedicated lanes; implementing policies to reduce car dependency, such as limiting parking and promoting alternative transport; enforcing regulations to keep public spaces accessible; and aligning transport policy with climate and public health objectives.

The party maintains that without decisive action, current trends will worsen. A shift towards people-centred mobility, it argues, is essential to create safer streets, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.