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On Saturday, April 26, there is a new event as part of the Via Menorca campaign. This time, a protest Parade will take place, on foot, through the streets of Maó, with a collective composition at the end. Save the date!

The meeting point is Plaça Esplanada at 11 a.m. The event is expected to end around 1:30 p.m.

Limiting tourist vehicles is one of the few effective short-term measures to combat overcrowding and the collapse of certain areas. It is a regulatory tool that the island of Formentera has been successfully applying since 2019. Every year, its Island Council applies a 4% reduction in tourist vehicles. The system is working.

In Menorca, this possibility has existed since 2023, when the Biosphere Reserve Law was approved. This law includes an article that authorizes the Island Council to limit tourist vehicles. Therefore, Menorca could do the same as Formentera.

Also in 2023, the Council commissioned a study to understand the situation of vehicles on the island. The conclusion is that, in the summer months, 45% of the traffic comes from tourist vehicles. In other words, vehicle presence on the roads nearly doubles during the summer.

The study concludes that, in July and August, there is an excess of 30% of vehicles, while in June and September the excess is 20%.

Therefore, limiting tourist vehicles in Menorca is a necessary tool to adapt to the island’s real carrying capacity, and advisable considering Formentera’s positive experience.

It is also worth noting that Ibiza and Mallorca are currently processing laws that would allow them to apply similar measures.

That is why the April 26 Parade is being organized: to raise awareness of these facts and to demand that Menorca does not remain inactive on this issue. We already have all the tools needed to implement the change. It seems that only political will is lacking.

This mobilization will have a protest aspect, but also a festive one.

Pre-Parade workshops to create vehicle costumes

To liven up the Parade, several workshops have been organized in the days beforehand to create simple vehicle costumes. With cardboard, ropes, and a few more materials, anyone can join in making the “Traffic Jam Parade” a protest float. Whether you have ideas and materials or not, come along—there will be handy people ready to help.

The workshops will be held at the GOB office in Maó (Camí des Castell, 53). No prior registration is required. Please note the schedule:

• Thursday, April 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Save the morning of Saturday, April 26. Come with your family and friends. Join us in being part of the solution!