A meeting of the Council for the Promotion of Cycling was chaired today by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr.
At the meeting, the Minister of Transport took stock of the actions taken so far under the Strategic Plan for the Promotion of Cycling, which includes the implementation of a series of actions for the period 2021-2023, with a budget of almost €4 million. The aim of the Strategic Plan is to increase the multimodality of travel and to shift citizens to sustainable means of transport and active travel, i.e. cycling and walking. Mr. Karousos pointed out that the promotion of cycling as a means of transport aims to improve the traffic problem and, by extension, contributes to the implementation of our legal and institutional commitment to the European Union for exemption from carbon emissions from transport.
In this context, noted the Minister of Transport, in November 2021, the Subsidy Plan for the purchase of a new bicycle with a budget of 570,000 euros was prepared. The implementation of the Plan was successful, the Minister said, and its acceptance by citizens showed that the society of Cyprus is changing and turning towards alternative and more sustainable means of transport, with lower energy consumption, which ensures accessibility and mobility for all.
Referring to the actions of the Plan for the Promotion of Bicycle Use, Mr. Karousos stressed that several of them are already under implementation, noting indicatively the inclusion in the new Fare Policy for Public Transport of the provision for not paying a fare for bicycle transport, as well as the completion of the first phase of the interconnection of the Universities of Nicosia with the city centre, at the same time as the second phase is being implemented. Also expected in the near future is the tender for the construction of the third phase, starting from Famagusta Gate, passing through Frederick University and then the "BATA" level roundabout and ending at the Kaimaklion Linear Park.
In addition, according to the Minister, the construction of another 55 kilometres of cycle paths is progressing, which will be added to the existing 186 kilometres of cycle paths that exist nationwide. At the same time, connections between all unconnected cycle paths are being promoted and the creation of cycle paths is also envisaged in the plans of all future urban development projects.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with the municipalities, is proceeding to reduce the speed limit to 20 or 30 km/h in city cores/centres and neighbourhoods, by creating shared spaces for the safe movement of all road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorists).
Finally, the Council meeting decided to develop further information and public awareness actions on road safety issues concerning cyclists. In addition, in cooperation with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Education, the implementation of educational lectures in schools on the use of the road network and the strengthening of road awareness regarding cyclists will be promoted.
Through the above actions, the aim is to enhance the safety of cyclists and, at the same time, to strengthen among citizens the culture of smooth integration of all users in the road network. During the meeting, it was agreed that all the recommendations will be studied extensively in the coming days and will be discussed at the next meeting of the Road Safety Council in order to be included, if approved, in the National Road Safety Strategy.
"The aim of the Ministry of Transport and the Government is primarily the creation of a safe and functional road network for all users, which will contribute to the promotion of cycling as a means of transport in the everyday life of the citizens of Cyprus, as a sustainable and safe means of transport. At the same time, it will contribute to the efforts made to reduce pollutants from transport", Mr. Karousos concluded.
(MKY)
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