The Formentera Council reports that from May 19 to September 30, in terms of non-resident island visitors, the ses Salines nature preserve recorded an average of 541 cars and 922 scooters entering the park every day. This summer, the nature reserve's total tally of cars driven by out-of-towners was 72,514 (3,901 less than in 2016). Headcount of tourists visiting by scooter? 123,585, or 21,523 less than last year. Meanwhile, looking at 2015 figures, this year non-resident drivers made up for 3,015 more of ses Salines's car visits, and 1,463 less of its scooter visits. Councillor Rafael González divulged the information today at the Council.

Ses Salines's Formentera site has parking for 384 cars and 1,132 moterscooters, though, due to rotation, the total number of vehicles in lots at times exceed this capacity. Bus access to the nature preserve has been regulated since 2016. Regular bus service has remained in 2017, with buses allowed a maximum of 13 trips in and out per day. Discretional service into the park has dropped, to 42 buses entering the park compared to last year's high of 72.

Collection
Ibifor, which holds the contract to superintend the preserve's car parks, took in €775,895, €102,213 less than in 2016. The Formentera Council will keep €140,000, plus an additional variable sum (€26,650) based on total revenues. The money is funneled into park maintenance, like beachside safety upgrades and road repairs. Inside the park there are services for road cleaning and rubbish collection, both part of a broader effort to better the park's image.

For two years running, quads have been prohibited entry into the park in an effort to minimise degradation and promote conservation.

Shade spots
As was already the case last year, the Balearic coastal authority applied a discount on the Council's lease of car park areas, in exchange for which the administration continues its gradual rebuilding of shade structures over parking lots. Last year crews rebuilt the arbour at the lot adjacent to ses Xalanes beach (point of access to Pirata beach bar) and efforts continue afoot this year.

Individuals who enter the park on foot, bicycle or by electric vehicles are not charged admission, park of the Formentera Council's ongoing commitment to sustainable mobility.

The Formentera Council's Office of Mobility has reported that from tomorrow (Wednesday, November 1) winter hours will be in effect for metred parking in la Savina. Motorists must request a ticket to park Monday to Saturday from 9.00am and 2.00pm, and Monday to Friday from 4.00pm to 8.00pm. Parking will be free on Sundays and bank holidays. The current scheme will be enforced until May 1.

From tomorrow vehicles can be parked in blue zones up to three days in a row; the summertime limit is one day. Authorised vehicles may be parked in green zones for three days maximum, while those that live in la Savina and possess the required documentation can leave vehicles parked up to 15 days, as occurs in summer. Mobility councillor Rafael González gave an extremely positive review of the service, now in its third

With the system's third summer now behind it, mobility councillor Rafael González described la Savina's metred parking as “immensely successful”.

Revenue
Since January 1, la Savina's parking metres have collected €152,000, an 7.8% increase on the same period last year. Fines, the majority of which are still being processed, are expected to push revenues even higher.

Residents are hereby reminded that from tomorrow, la Savina's overflow car park, located across from Illes Pitiüses park, will be closed.

Mobility secretary Rafael González has today offered his review of the pilot test regulating the access of motor vehicles, cars and motorcycles, to the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse that was carried out for the first time this summer. Rafael González beamed about the implementation of a test that has achieved the two main objectives, "first, avoid traffic jams, and then, preserve this natural place and the tranquility that surrounds us".

Assistance
On average, as they have been counted from the Office of Mobility, more than 500 people have visited daily. In the moments of maximum influx, there has been an average visit of 280 people simultaneously, although there have been peaks in which up to 400 people have taken a walk at the same time for this place. The preferred time for tourists has been the days of sunshine during sunset, and the cloudy days during the morning.

In this regard, the director pointed out that the influx of visitors has been similar to that of recent years. Hence, González explained, in addition to achieving the initial objectives, “we have moved the feeling that the measure has had a good acceptance among residents and tourists who have understood perfectly that this regulation became necessary in this emblematic place of Formentera".

Upcoming performances
Looking ahead, the secretary has said that given the positive results, the measure will be applied again next season. Once the period of regulation has been finalized, some of the requests that have been made will be studied, such as the possibility of extending the application period or offering some services such as a supply area or a bicycle dispenser.

We recall readers that the pilot test for access regulation to Es Cap de Barbaria was made between July 1 and September 15, when a barrier located at km 6.5 of the road from Cap de Barbaria. In its contours, a car park with capacity for 60 cars and 100 motorcycles was enabled to allow visitors to leave vehicles, and from there on foot or by bicycle to the lighthouse.

Secretary González has taken the opportunity to present this stock-taking on 22 September, as World No Car Day is being held, included in the European Week of Sustainable Mobility.

The Formentera Council's Office of Mobility has rolled out a plan to educate motorists about respecting cyclists' right to the road. In the words of department head Rafael González, the goal is to reach all motorists, although the campaign specifically calls out professional drivers—lorry, coach and taxicab drivers—for their role in heeding “rules that are there to save lives” as well as the minimum metre-and-a-half space to maintain when overtaking riders.

The mobility office has plans to distribute 100 newly-printed posters and 2,000 informational leaflets to career drivers and automobile renters, as well as Eivissa and Formentera's small and medium-sized business association, the local chamber of commerce and information kiosks for tourists. From 12 noon, large-sized posters will be displayed at bus stops and other key points on the island. The rollout has been set to coincide with European Sustainable Mobility Week, 16-22 September. Secretary González pointed out how common it is for tourists and locals alike to opt for two-wheel travel with the mild temperatures of September and October. Furthermore, he said, as Formentera's youngsters head back to school this month, many of them will get there by bike.

The posters and pamphlets both feature a cyclist atop her bicycle and a nearby passing vehicle with, occupying the space of a metre and a half between them, the bike rider's family. One and a half metres is the distance required to safely overtake a cyclist. The image hammers the importance of two things: the metre-and-a-half birth to give when passing cyclists and all the other lives at stake with vehicle-bicycle accidents.

Also included in the leaflets are reminders of traffic rules as they relate to cyclist safety. Council members voted to implement the campaign at the administration's May plenary session.