In November 2022, the Government of Gibraltar announced a revision of the Highway Code in order to promote safer roads and a more sustainable and efficient transport system. Taking the UK's Highway Code update as an example, the Active Travel Strategy, launched in January 2023, promotes cycling and walking as the most sustainable and healthiest modes of transportation.

The goal of this new strategy

The Highway Code revision is aimed at promoting healthier and more environmentally friendly ways of travelling around Gibraltar, as well as ensuring the safety of all road users. It was issued by the Ministry of Transport with the collaboration of stakeholders, the support of the Ministry of Environment and with approval of the opposition parties. The strategy is considered a live document that will evolve as the city, infrastructure and people change, so as to always promote healthier, safer, and greener urban mobility. The government encourages everyone to make use of this document, especially architects, urban planners and developers, to work together for the sustainable future of Gibraltar.

The Minister for Transport, the Honourable Paul Balban, said: “I am extremely excited to announce our vision for a greener and more liveable city. Our sustainable Active Travel Strategy makes better use of our urban space, providing more opportunities for people to meet, socialise, walk and cycle safely. The launch of these consultation documents will provide the seeds that will give birth to the cycle lane in Gibraltar and will also provide the community with better, safer, healthier and environmentally greener surroundings to enjoy.”

How cyclists and pedestrians are at the heart of this strategy

One of the most relevant changes in this strategy is the attention and priority given to pedestrians and cyclists. Gibraltar wants to promote cycling and walking as a feasible and healthier alternative to cars to guarantee its citizens a greener and safer city. By suggesting practical ideas in the urban planning of the city, the new Highway Code sets the following goals:

• Create more pedestrian-friendly streets and improve the quality of the one already present.
• Construct continuous, direct routes for cycling across Gibraltar.
• Improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by promoting legal changes.
• Increase the number of bicycle parking spaces.

This strategy will improve the number and the efficiency of these infrastructures and create a safer urban mobility for cyclists and pedestrians by placing them at the top of the new travel hierarchy. This ensures that the road users who are more likely to cause harm bear more responsibility for ensuring the safety of the roads.

Would you like to know more about Gibraltar’s new Active Travel Strategy? The document is available here.

The Ministry of Transport Gibraltar is an active member of ECF’s Cities & Regions for Cyclists Network, a network of cities and regions committed to promoting cycling as a mode of transport and leisure, collectively representing over 50 million citizens across Europe and beyond. For more information on ECF’s CRC network and how to join, visit our Cities & Regions for Cyclists page.