During his English talk for the Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) at the end of January, Larnaca Mayor – Andreas Louroutziatis - outlined the major infrastructure projects taking place in the town, which include a large network of bicycle lanes.
The mayor and his Municipal Council approved four pillars at the start of their term - Development, Employment, Efficiency and Social Solidarity. As the mayor explained, the first pillar is concerned with improving the town's infrastructure: "By development we mean the development of infrastructure and major projects; the quality of the citizens' daily life in terms of pedestrian sidewalks, and the ability to move; more greenery in the town, and the development of different aspects that signify quality of life for citizens."
The redesign of Piale Pasha – which connects the Finikoudes promenade with the area of Mckenzie - is one of the projects currently taking place, and is due to finish by the end of June this year. The mayor admitted that the project is not without its problems: "Piale Pashia is a challenge. It was designed without taking parking (for residents and delivery trucks) into consideration and we are currently looking at options to resolve this issue, one of which is plots in the area that could be used for resident parking."
The major roadworks that are taking place in the area of the stadium down to the cinema are due to finish in September and will incorporate bicycle lanes. The redesign of Pallas Square (near Cyta's main building) will begin in September and finish in April 2014, making the road one-way. Bicycle lanes will also be added to areas that are not going to be reconstructed such as Artemidos Avenue (the old airport road), and the Limassol road. All in all, the bicycle network will total 52 kilometres and will be significant in facilitating movement, as well as encouraging the environmentally positive practice of using bicycles over cars by making riding both safer and easier. Many of the bicycle lanes will serve as shared lanes with pedestrians, thus also making walking safer and more pleasant.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly - 08/02/14
