Walking Malta : #unsafe or #vibrant?

Abstract

Have you ever found yourself on a busy road framed between cacti and fast cars, because Google Maps thought it would be a good walking path for you? To avoid such situations, we need local research and solutions on Malta’s walkability issues. In 2013 I moved to Malta from Spain. Taking in the island’s small size, I wanted to try a car-free lifestyle. My experience walking in this heavily car-oriented country soon grew into a curiosity-driven research career on walkability. Nowadays, I am part of an initiative to place walking totems around the University of Malta — large poles with signs indicating how long it takes to walk to nearby localities. I hope this information will encourage others to walk.