“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” – James 1:19-20

Barbados, our tiny gem of an island, is choking on its own success. Traffic congestions got us stuck, folks. But don’t despair, there are solutions.

First off, let’s look at two-wheels. Motorcycles and bicycles can zip through traffic, cutting congestion. Make Barbados bike-friendly — invest in lanes, safety gear and education. Latin America is seeing an electrical bike-sharing boom; we can too.

Safety’s key. Improve roads, enforce traffic laws and boost public awareness. Flyovers? Trinidad has successfully tried that. Might be pricey, but strategic placement could ease bottlenecks.

Mass transit’s the backbone of a congestion-busting plan. Expand bus routes, frequency and make it reliable.

Water taxis? Genius! Our coastline’s an asset — use it. Run efficient, scenic routes to cut road traffic.

Now, the tough love: restrict new vehicle imports. Let’s prioritize what’s already here. And while we’re at it, clear out derelict vehicles cluttering our streets.

Here’s the plan: (1) Boost two-wheel options (motorcycles, bikes); (2) Increase mass transit (buses, water taxis); (3) A “park and ride” system lets you park your car and switch to public transport, to cut congestion and parking hassles. Saves time and stress. (4) Restrict new vehicle imports (reduces revenue from tax on new vehicles but saves foreign exchange); (5) Remove derelict vehicles (cleans up the environment and creates an opportunity for a regional end of life recycling industry; (6) Invest in safety and infrastructure; and (7) Aging support transport systems like EverBright as driving becomes a challenge.

A national public-private sector strategic visioning exercise is needed, involving all stakeholders, to structure the management of transportation change (especially the advent of flyovers), rather than a patchwork piecemeal approach.

We can do this, Barbados. Let’s keep our island moving.

Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. He can be reached at basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com .