The Formentera Office of Mobility is pleased to announce that after taking effect on 1 June, the first period of regulated vehicle access and parking on the roads of Caló des Mort and Es Ram concluded on 30 September. Rafael González, councillor of mobility, hailing the success of a measure he said "staved off problems affecting the environment, traffic, parking and emergency vehicle access that affected the area in years past", announced plans to carry the initiative forward in summer 2023.

Rules on access and parking
From 1 June to 30 September, an individual was stationed nearby to inform motorists of rules against parking in these areas and redirect them to the nearby town and parking available there. The new rules were duly signposted, with wood and rope fencing placed around the perimeter of wooded areas to prevent parking. While signs will stay up all year to raise awareness and stop drivers from parking in this natural area, the attendant will take leave from tomorrow.

Motorists may momentarily stop to unload or pick up passengers or facilitate access for people with reduced mobility. Regulations were implemented following a request from residents in the area.

30 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today the Formentera Office of Mobility seized the opportunity of World Car-Free Day and Sustainable Mobility Week to report on rebounding levels of public bus ridership in the first half of September 2022. During the first fortnight of the month, the island registered 17,399 riders, 0.5% more than the same period two years earlier, before the pandemic. The increase was 25% compared to data for the same two-week period in 2021, when local buses logged 13,924 riders.
 
According to Rafael González, councillor of mobility, after two years of dwindling ridership, 2022 has come with a renewed impulse and figures similar to those registered before the pandemic. "We've seen a full-on recovery for two reasons: formentera.eco rules concerning vehicles brought and driven on the island, which remained in effect, and discounts for users of public transport", said the councillor.

Including residents and minors, 4,231 people enjoyed free public transport in the first half of September 2022. During the same period in 2019, 200 visitors bought one-day or 20-trip passes. This year the number of visitors who bought such multi-ride passes was 1,308, an increase of 6.5%.

Riders in August
Ridership this August totalled 39,745, a 2% decrease on figures from three years ago. However, compared to 2021, when local buses logged 33,059 riders, ridership was up 20%.

Councillor González expects the number of bus riders to continue rising and encourages islanders and visitors alike "to use public transport by bus, a sustainable way to get around the island".

22 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

With European Sustainable Mobility Week under way, the Formentera Office of Mobility is pleased to announce measures in store this winter in public transport, cycling routes and road safety. "The aim is to move forward the Consell's commitment to foment the most sustainable modes of transport, like public transport and bicycles, and continue improving road safety", said Rafael González.

Public transport
The bidding process for the new public transport concession will begin in the final quarter of 2022. It is expected to move through legislation during the winter, with the new service coming on stream by next summer. "It will mean improvements in our bus service and adapt to current needs of residents and visitors", said the councillor.

Principal features of the new service:
• More lines: The number of lines will increase from five to nine, linking every town and major tourist area.
• Increased frequencies and smaller buses tailored to characteristics of the island and local network of roads.

Cycle paths
This winter, the cycling network will be enhanced with bike lanes and nature trails (rutes verdes).
• Bicycle lanes at every roundabout (similar to ironworks [ferreria] roundabout in Sant Ferran)
• Closure of Camí des Brolls to motorised traffic. Trail in Ses Salines Park will be designed for walking, cycling and horseback riding

Road safety
New road safety actions will be carried out on the road network, as established in the Sustainable Mobility Plan and in line with measures implemented in recent years.

Accordingly, speed limits and segments of road where overtaking is permitted will be revised and signage will be improved. Similar operations have already been completed in urban areas, in the industrial park and segments of the highway such as the portions stretching from La Savina to Es Pujols, La Savina to Sant Francesc and Sant Francesc to the Cala Saona turnoff.

Also this winter, in line with an agreement reached by plenary members this legislative term, approval of the Road Safety Plan will be legislated.

21 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera, and Rafael González, councillor of mobility, visited the exhibition of conventional and electric bicycles held this week in Sant Francesc's Plaça de la Constitució in celebration of Sustainable Mobility Week.

The president expressed her satisfaction with the actions that the Consell de Formentera has backed to promote the use of bicycles, one of the most sustainable and best suited vehicles to the characteristics of the island. "Cycling is a core objective of mobility. We must continue working to promote it and educate people about the importance of moving in more sustainable and healthy ways, and taking the car less is part of that".

New assistance
To continue this momentum, officials presented the new grants that the Consell de Formentera is offering islanders who wish to purchase bicycles or make them electric. The Consell is offering €100 to individuals interested in converting a conventional bicycle into an electric bicycle, €150 to those wishing to buy a conventional bicycle, €250 to individuals keen to buy a conventional bicycle and convert it into an electric bicycle and €450 to islanders who want to purchase an electric bicycle. Applications will be handled by the Citizen Information Office (Oficina d'Atenció a la Ciudadania, OAC) and Virtual Citizen Information Office (Oficina Virtual d'Atenció a la Ciudadania, OVAC) until none of the €11,400 in available assistance remains.

"The first round of assistance was warmly received", said Councillor González, pointing out that thanks to the Consell's help last December, 17 islanders acquired new bicycles. "This new round of assistance is about continuing to boost sustainable mobility", he added. "In response to rising costs we've increased aid by 50%, introduced two new lines of aid to include electric conversion of conventional bicycles and, rather than 11 years old, individuals must now be at least 18 years old to benefit from the assistance, since that is when many young people begin to move independently around the island and we hope to help them to do so by bike", according to Rafael González.

This week Formentera will hold the following activities to celebrate European Mobility Week:

Exhibition of conventional and electric bicycles
20 to 22 September, from 10.00am to 1.00pm in Plaça de la Constitució (Sant Francesc), Formentera's two specialist bike vendors host an exhibition of conventional and electric bicycles. Residents can try bicycles out and, if they like them, will be informed about assistance offered by the Consell de Formentera to purchase them. Among other items on display will be bicycle accessories, such as helmets, lights and vests.

Free tune-ups for residents
20 to 22 September, local cyclists will also benefit from a free servicing and tune-up. Taller Es Brolls Formentera (Carretera de la Savina, km 2) will offer the service from 8.00am to 7.00pm, and Formentera Cycles (Carrer Guillem de Montgrí, 35, Sant Ferran) will offer it from 4.00pm to 8.00pm.

Residents with an ID card and certificate of residence (preferably on mobile phone/paperless) can visit the shops and an expert will offer a free tune-up. The offer includes basic servicing of the chain, wheels and brakes.

20 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera