Slow Streets in Village Cores
I am one of the guilty persons to use my car to run small errands in my home village. More than often it is because I am in a hurry! But considering that parking spaces are limited and or getting stuck behind the garbage truck or the bus, it actually turns out to be more time consuming.
Streets in Malta are mostly designed for vehicles, especially in the villages. Implementing Slow Streets will raise awareness in the community not to use their vehicle at certain times of the days or weekends. Apart from reducing the traffic and the emissions in the village core, it will make it safer and encourage people exercise. It will also help the local businesses with more passing trade.
Having safer and more accessible infrastructure for walking and cycling can instigate people to change their mentality not to use their vehicle as their first option to travel. This can also help people stay more fit and healthy. People will be more willing to shop from local businesses due to extended open public spaces. It will also enhance social interaction between the locals in the community; speaking to the elderly that are sitting on their doorstep, children playing safely in the ‘pjazza’ or street.
We need safer and slower spaces for all to enjoy and to wind down from our busy lives!