The establishment of the eThekwini Cycle Safe Forum reiterates the City’s commitment to promote the use of non-motorised transport and reduce road accidents on our roads, writes Mayor James Nxumalo
Most major cities in the world that have upgraded their transportation infrastructure by creating sustainable integrated rapid public transport networks have included a non-motorised transport component.
eThekwini Municipality is no different. Our implementation plan, however, differs from the other non-motorised transport models in other parts of the world.
Ours includes the provision of safe, manageable and accessible lanes and routes for residents to reach public transport infrastructure.
The City’s dedicated infrastructural plan for the non-motorised transport network includes sidewalks, off-road paths, safe crossings, pedestrian bridges and cycle areas, for recreational and commuting purposes. The focus, however, will be on commuter-based use, that enables people to walk and cycle throughout the City, and are designed to help protect them from fatalities caused by motorised vehicles.
We, as the City leadership, have supported and initiated a number of programmes that promote the use of non-motorised transport to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Cycle lanes, as part of the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), have been built across the City to encourage people to get on their bikes. I believe that cycling is the most efficient mode of transportation and I often cycle in my spare time.
I was saddened to learn of the deaths of two cyclists on our roads recently. Our thoughts and well wishes are with their families. To show that the City is serious about keeping all road users safe including cyclists, the eThekwini Cycle Safe Forum has been established where role players will meet regularly to address issues affecting cyclists and find workable solutions.
The main two rules for cyclists are first, that they may not cycle on a freeway and secondly, by law, they may not ride two or more alongside each other. When cyclists do not adhere to the single file rule, this often leads to conflict with motorists, which then results in accidents that could have been avoided.
Cyclists should indicate their intentions to change direction by means of hand signals. A cyclist is not exempted from any road rules, and that means they have to stop at red traffic lights and stop streets, not cycle up the wrong way on one-way streets and keep as far to the left of the roadway as possible.
Metro Police will continue to police the cycling lanes to stop vehicles from using those lanes at the applicable times. Motorists should not drive or park in lanes reserved for bicycles. The City, through the eThekwini Safe Cycling Forum, is constantly looking at ways to make cycling safer. In an unprecedented move to support the growing need for increased mobility and connectivity for residents in eThekwini Municipality, we recently launched the GO!Durban Cycle Academy in a public-private partnership with the Kargo PRO Cycling Team with support from the City’s Durban Green Corridor. At the launch of the Durban Cycle Academy, I was overwhelmed by the incredible talent and potential I witnessed when a demonstration was done. It filled me with great hope for this brilliant development programme. To this effect I must congratulate our stakeholders in helping us create what promises to be a legacy.
We will now work together to establish the first academy site at Inanda Adventure Park. Consultation was done with leadership of the areas, school principals and the community to ensure the programme will benefit all.
In partnering with the Durban Green Corridor, GO!Durban is able to reach local communities throughout eThekwini in a practical and sustainable way. This will promote recreational and commuter cycling for a healthy lifestyle and reduce transport-related carbon footprint. The first site at Inanda Adventure Park marks a momentous occasion as part of service delivery on our promise to develop a more sustainable future for our children.
A further eight sites will be developed with the Durban Green Corridor together with the City’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit. The establishment of this academy will provide opportunities to drive local entrepreneurial pursuits, especially within key nodes such as the already established Inanda Adventure Park, which already attracts significant economic tourism activity. As we strive to be Africa’s most caring and liveable City by 2030, we need to ensure that there is improved mobility for all and that transport is an integral part of our economic and social functioning. Cycling is one of such transport mechanisms at our disposal which we must make use of.
This means providing safe walkways and spaces for people to move around the city through our non-motorised transport network of our public transport plan. Through this programme, we are laying the foundation for the growth and development of potentially hundreds of healthy young people every year.
It promises a knock-on effect of inspiring others to adopt a culture of cycling in the city.
We believe the academy will create employment opportunities as well as stimulate entrepreneurial economic growth. People will soon recognise the need for repair shops, eateries, training schools and attendant services related to cycling both from a commuter and recreational perspective.
As we forge ahead with the construction of our GO!Durban programme I must reiterate that this is more than just a transport project. The operational phase of the first route of the IRPTN is now in sight. This programme will restructure our society and connect communities that have been historically divided and disconnected. With the 2022 Commonwealth Games in sight, these young academy members have so much to look forward to as they work hard towards a tangible goal. Hopefully we will see talented young riders realising their dreams and excelling during these games.
We need more vigilance and law abidance from motorists and cyclists. Both parties are continuously breaking the law and thereby placing the lives and safety of others at risk.