Traffic growth in Cyprus is placing increasing pressure on the country’s road network, as experts highlight a dramatic rise in car ownership over the past two decades.
Speaking on the programme Protoselido, Assistant Professor at the University of Cyprus, Lucas Demetriou, and data analysis consultant Neophytos Aristodimou discussed findings showing that while the population has increased by around 40%, the number of cars on Cypriot roads has surged by 126%.
According to the experts, this imbalance reflects the daily reality experienced by commuters across the island.
Shift towards hybrid and electric vehicles
Neophytos Aristodimou noted that the composition of the vehicle fleet is also changing, with a clear shift towards greener technologies.
He stated that around half of vehicles currently circulating in Cyprus are either hybrid or electric, with hybrids making up the majority of this segment.
Public transport still underused
Professor Demetriou attributed the strong reliance on private cars to long-standing urban and transport planning choices.
He explained that cities and mobility systems have been designed in a way that makes car use more convenient than public transport, contributing to low usage rates.
He added that public transport use is gradually increasing each year across cities, but still remains low at around 3% to 5%. He said the target should be closer to 15%.
Demetriou stressed that achieving this shift requires both investment in public transport and measures that discourage excessive private car use.
Urban design and mobility culture
The discussion also highlighted the need for a stronger cycling culture and improved urban design.
Referring to recent reactions to a cycling lane project in Limassol, Demetriou said public concerns were mainly linked to infrastructure design elements rather than the concept itself.
He also emphasised that mobility habits are shaped over time, noting that “culture is cultivated” through infrastructure and city planning.
No single solution to congestion
On traffic congestion, Demetriou said there is no “magic solution”, but international experience offers clear directions.
He pointed to stronger public transport systems, reduced dependence on cars for short trips, and better urban planning as key measures.
He also highlighted a common behaviour where drivers use cars even for journeys of just a few minutes.
Road safety and behavioural change
Despite the increase in vehicles, Demetriou noted that fatal accidents have not risen proportionally, crediting enforcement, awareness campaigns and education.
He stressed that road deaths remain highly preventable and are usually linked to human error, including speeding, mobile phone use and alcohol consumption.
He also called for targeted awareness campaigns for professional heavy vehicle drivers, citing risky behaviour on highways.
Data and public access tools
Aristodimou highlighted the continued availability of the “Data-Driven” platform, which provides open access to public datasets and visualises Cyprus’ long-term trends through charts and analysis.
He said the initiative aims to help citizens better understand national developments over time through accessible data tools.
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