CYPRUS IS MOTORING INTO THE FUTURE
AN OVERALL LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The island’s lack of PUBLIC TRANSPORT, along with the climate, are the main reasons why high car usage exists across the island. PUBLIC TRANSPORT, although reliable, consists of no metro or train system, and mainly relies on public and intercity buses. Whilst pensioners, students, and some workers take full advantage of this, everyone else seems to favour a car to get around. This basically means that driving in Cyprus is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
A FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Although the PUBLIC TRANSPORT system has massively improved in recent times, most residents still prefer to rely on a car. Often too hot to walk in the sun during the day, residents often use a car even for short distances. This is also directly reflected by the fact that the average number of cars per household is two. AdAdding to this the fact that INSURANCE costs for driving are generally low compared to the rest of Europe, d to this the fact that INSURANCE costs for driving are generally low compared to the rest of Europe, it seems that using the car is the best option for most.
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CARS
Cyprus continues to rank among the European Union countries with a high number of cars per capita. The island is said to have approximately 650 passenger vehicles for every 1,000 residents. The recent influx of population, mainly from migration, it seems, has increased the pressure on public services, which includes PUBLIC TRANSPORT. Several new developments, mainly in the suburbs, have also been built without supporting transport infrastructure. This means that people living there have no option but to rely on a car. This, in turn, has created extra vehicles on the road, which has ultimately created higher congestion throughout the island. Although car ownership in Cyprus remains high, there is still a remarkably low uptake of electric vehicles on the island.
INCREASING ROAD SAFETY CONCERNS
The high number of cars on Cypriot roads has also brought road safety concerns to the surface. This has been addressed to a certain degree by the introduction of island-wide TRAFFIC CAMERAS that automatically record traffic violations. Overall road quality across the island has also recently improved with several new projects designed to improve traffic flow.
NO SUPPORTING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
The two-lane highways, which dominate the island’s road infrastructure, have also come under scrutiny. Many claim that these motorways are no longer fit for purpose. Although there are plans to introduce new 4-lane city ring roads to help ease congestion, their full construction is still many years away from completion. In the meantime, various initiatives that involve car sharing and the recent intoduction of the PARK AND RIDE scheme are helping to reduce congestion.
CAR SHARING, E-BIKE & E-SCOOTERS
Car-sharing stations have also appeared in each city, and electric bike and scooter hire have recently become popular. The Bolt app reveals the nearest rental centres, and the WAZE app often identifies traffic hotspots in real-time. Electric bicycle and scooter hire is also available not only in city centres, but also in several residential areas. Most can be hired on the spot by simply scanning their QR codes. These cost-effective modes of light transport are becoming more popular as they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to other forms of urban transport, and they are also reducing traffic.
IMPROVED BUS SERVICES
BUS SERVICES have also seen recent improvements with the addition of new routes and the expansion of existing BUS SCHEDULES. The bus service as a whole has become much more regular and punctual, and most of the regular buses now appear every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends. Suburban routes, to surrounding villages, run about every hour on weekdays and at set times over weekends and public holidays. The villages that make up the city’s suburbs are also connected to several other distant villages by other bus services.
GREENER ROADS AHEAD FOR CYPRUS
The Cypriot government has approved a new scheme to support the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles throughout the island. This initiative forms part of a series of environmental goals that have previously been set, aiming to make cleaner transportation more accessible to all Cypriot residents.
The new plan is part of the European Union-backed ‘Recovery and Resilience’ strategy that will offer grants to Cypriot residents who drive electric or hybrid vehicles. This initiative aims to continue supporting a shift to greener transportation in Cyprus.
CYPRUS DRIVING TIPS
GENERAL DRIVING RULES & REGULATIONS
Speed Limits in Cyprus: Whilst Cyprus has a series of standard speed limits, extra attention to road signs is essential, as there are several sections of continuous roads where speed limits often change. These limits vary and are dependent on the size of the road and the local environment that is being travelled.
The general speed limits are as follows
Urban Areas: 65 km/h
Open roads: 80 km/h
Highways: 100 km/h
- Road vehicles in Cyprus are right-hand drive, so are therefore driven on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right.
- Wearing of seat belts is compulsory for front and rear seat occupants.
- Children under five cannot travel as a front seat passenger.
- Children under ten must use a suitable child restraint system.
- Eating and drinking whilst driving is prohibited.
- The maximum legal level of alcohol in the blood is 0.049 per cent.
- Smoking in a car with a person present that is under 16 years is prohibited
- Speaking on a mobile phone whilst driving is prohibited.
- All national driving licences are accepted
- The minimum age for International drivers is 18 years of age
- It is forbidden to carry petrol in a can.
- It is prohibited to use the horn between 10.00 pm and 6.00 am hours, and in the vicinity of hospitals.
- Two warning triangles are compulsory
- Spiked tyres and snow chains are permitted on mountain roads in winter.
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN LIMASSOL
Each local municipality in Cyprus constantly strives to reduce and then improve overall traffic levels across each city. It achieves this by continuously monitoring traffic and then creating new models designed to reduce congestion during peak hours. It then implements significant traffic changes where and when necessary to improve the overall flow of traffic.
With this in mind, the Limassol Municipality has recently introduced the following changes
Evagorou Papachristophorou Street will now become a one-way street. Traffic is now permitted only in the direction from Agias Zonis towards Griva Digeni. The speed limit has also been reduced to 30 km/ph. Drivers who violate the new rules will face penalties.
Emmanuel Roidis Street will now become a one-way street. Traffic is now permitted only in the direction from Griva Digeni towards Agias Zonis. The speed limit has also been reduced to 30 km/ph. Drivers who violate the new rules will face penalties.
Theklas Lysiotis Street will now become a one-way street. Traffic is now permitted only in the direction from Agias Zonis towards Griva Digeni. The speed limit has also been reduced to 30 km/ph. Drivers who violate the new rules will face penalties.
WINTER DRIVING IN TROODOS
HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY IN THE CYPRUS MOUNTAINS
Driving conditions vary throughout the winter, particularly in the Troodos Mountains. Poor weather conditions often create several hazards that include rain, fog, wind, sleet, and snow. These are all common when driving through the Troodos Mountains during the winter, and all of these create an environment that not only creates slippery roads but also reduces visibility.
With this in mind, there are series of things that can be done when faced with such conditions.
Speed: When faced with adverse weather condition all vehicles should reduce their speed in advance. Adverse weather can significantly distort the perception of speed. All vehicles should slow down to a level that allows enough time to react to any unexpected situation.
Lighting: All vehicles should utilise the use of their fog lights to help improve visibility. Hazard lights should be used if a vehicle has to pull over.
Driving: The following distance of each vehicle should be increased, and a safe following distance should be maintained at all times. Music should be switched off, and windows should be slightly opened to allow for extra ventilation.
Stopping: Never stop on the shoulder, particularly on high-speed roads. Always move the vehicle completely off the roadway.
NEW SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLANS
The main goal of the CYPRUS SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLAN, which forms part of the wider European RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN, is to establish greener, more accessible urban areas across Cyprus. It will do this as part of the government’s existing commitment to sustainability.
The scheme will aim to create sustainable cities by carefully analysing the island’s current transport infrastructure. It also intends to introduce more environmentally friendly transport options. The strategy for this includes the implementation of cleaner public transport and municipal vehicles.
The scheme will also aim to create sustainable cities by reducing overall traffic congestion. It will do this by encouraging greener ways of getting around the island. In light of this, it will actively promote more walking and cycling and will look at improving infrastructure for this further. Several accessibility upgrades that include dedicated bike and bus lanes will also take place. Extensions to the already successful PARK-AND-RIDE schemes are also being introduced.
