Rota Calls For Sliema To St Julian’s Bicycle Lane Instead Of Ferry Link

Cycling organisation Rota has called on the government to prioritise a continuous, segregated bicycle lane connecting Sliema, St Julian’s and surrounding areas, following reports that a small-vessel ferry link for the route is being considered.

Rota argued that the coastal connection between Sliema Ferries and Spinola Bay is only around three kilometres long and can be completed in approximately ten minutes by bicycle if a safe cycling route is provided.

The organisation said that a ferry service would add unnecessary complexity to a journey that could be addressed through improved cycling infrastructure. It questioned how bicycles would be accommodated on the proposed vessels and highlighted that cyclists would still require a safe route along Tower Road if bike carriage was not possible.

Rota also warned that a ferry service would be dependent on weather and sea conditions, while potentially increasing pollution and disturbance in coastal areas used by swimmers. The organisation said that shifting congestion and emissions from roads to the sea would not address the wider transport challenges.

Instead, Rota called for a rethink of traffic arrangements along the waterfront, including possible one-way systems and the reallocation of road space to create safer cycling conditions. It said that a segregated bicycle lane would also create a buffer between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, making the promenade safer and more enjoyable.

The organisation said it has been requesting this connection for 15 to 20 years and urged authorities to focus on what it described as a simple and effective solution: a safe, continuous bicycle lane along the coast.

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