Paul Balban

My view is that we have left behind the city of the future. We need to go back to arrive at our future. “A smart city is a human city” @VelocitySeries #sttpp #cyclists #cycling #bicycle @sustrans

This sign is useful as drivers occasionally take a sharp right just after overtaking a bicycle without taking a second look. Other than raising awareness, there are also things cyclists can do to help mitigate their own risk. Skills taught during defensive Cycling Training.

Thank you @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john for recognising that cyclists always stop at red lights. For the rest of you, e-scooters, motorcyclists & car drivers, please remember red lights are for everyone, not just for cyclists. The bigger you are the more dangerous you are #gibraltar

These signs try to ensure the safety of cyclists, especially children, reminding larger vehicles to leave at least 1.5m distance when overtaking them. These are very good and would be very welcome throughout Gibraltar

@pizzaman21 @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john Indeed some do, but just like some e-scooters, motorbikes, cars, vans and lorries.

@PBalban @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john Sorry to contradict but not all cyclists stop at red lights. Some simply waltz through!

@DinoChincotta @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john But why would they not order all road users to stop at red lights then? Why not a generic sign? Why target just cyclists? Don’t other road users go through red lights or shoot off before the lights go green? 🤔 Why single out the greenest & least invasive of modes of transport?

@PBalban @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john It seems more of an order than a recognition?

@1anMackie @pizzaman21 @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john But if they didn’t mean that, then they must be discriminating against cyclists surely 🤔 Don’t e-scooter users, motorcyclists, car and lorry drivers ever go though red lights or pull away when the light is still red? 🤔

@pizzaman21 @PBalban @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john The comma in the sign is important Paul. 😉

@foxieloxie72 @GibChronicle They do apply BUT because a cyclist needs to use their very own energy to pedal & not just a tweak of the foot to step on the gas pedal to accelerate, when a red appears & pedestrians have already crossed, cyclists may just keep on pedalling. In some cities it’s actually accepted

@GibChronicle I cannot understand why traffic lights don't seem to apply to cyclists or electric scooters?

New road stencils and signs introduced to highlight cyclist safety chronicle.gi/new-road-stenc…

@lorrainemadden You’re welcome. Those that know me would know I favour segregating cyclists and e-scooters which makes it safer for them, especially children and letting cars enjoy the road free of bicycles and e-scooters if possible.

@PBalban Thanks Paul, I knew you would be knowledgeable as a cyclist. I thought the same as you but people using it in an estate group as a reason to attack cyclists.

@PBalban Could you clear up confusion for us please - is this a shared road marking or a lane only for bikes.

"Cada kilometro de carril bici de Copenhague supone un retorno de medio millón de euros al año en términos de ahorro de tiempo, salud y atropellos evitados"

@LaLlave1704 Cobarde 😂

How much money was wasted in creating the Talibalban cycle lane by the sundaial, only for it to be ripped apart for the stadium project (which was known to be happening). And the pay parkings at the stadium which were promplty removed to make way for Esylium project?

Commuting by bicycle has so many social, health & mental health, environmental benefits. More bicycle infrastructure would encourage more people, especially children to cycle to work and to school planting the seeds to bring about change.

@AlexWhiteGB @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john This has been going on for months. Seems like an awful waste of paper and ink to get thrown away.

@PBalban @HMGoG_MEETT @cortes_john Surely we can do QR codes you scan on the phone, then use the phone to scan out, no paper required at all, could be used as a receipt if claiming back too.

Lots of used tickets littering MidTown Car Park. Perhaps a paper bin so that people can throw their used tickets in the bin or maybe do away with the need to print out receipts saving cost and paper #environment @HMGoG_MEETT #gibraltar

@JansenBReyes1 Efficient mass transit that’s reliable and runs regularly is definitely part of the solution

@PBalban It’s an interesting topic and we’ve previously discussed. I still believe that the key lies on multi-modal transport. Large car parks, strategically located around Gibraltar, not least at entry points. Complemented by mass-transit.

Time extension for Treaty gives a bit more time to come up with plan to try to tackle potential increase in cars that could enter #gibraltar when physical frontier is gone. So what’s the plan? In the absence of a new conjured & viable plan, the key still lies within the #sttpp

Zones 1-3 were established before COVID and Zone 4 established soon after COVID. Nevertheless, the Residential Parking Plan remains unfinished with residents of the Upper Town having to compete for parking spaces close to their home with people who live in other zones.

There are 2 separate types of parking. Parking for locals & public parking. Most towns & small cities have Residents Parking to provide some parking for locals. La Linea has residential parking too & we started creating these in Gib in 2017 to help us find parking closer to home

@JansenBReyes1 A ULEZ would be problematic & would need to be non discriminatory. Everyone would need to pay to enter ULEZ, even locals. I predict a u-turn within days with people waving flags outside No6. In any case, if we got away with it, what’s stopping La Linea doing the same? 🤔

@PBalban The problem with busses is that they too contribute to congestion. A further idea is to introduce a use/congestion/ULEZ charge.

@JansenBReyes1 Carparks & parking spaces attract cars, that’s their purpose. Car Parks will not help reduce or disincentivise visitors driving into Gibraltar unless their hourly rates are very high, risking that they may not be used and hence precious public space being misused.

What policy within the STTPP could help reduce cars coming into Gibraltar post deal? It’s simple, what do people driving the cars to Gibraltar, hope to find?