Below is an letter about the Tswhane race. I highlighted some points that concerns me Tshwane backing cycling as vehicle for inner-city regenerationCycling has proven itself locally and internationally as one of the best marketing tools around but very few of the country's decision makers seem to realise it. An exception to the rule is represented in the OUTsurance Tshwane Mayoral Ride, which takes place in Pretoria later this year. "Just look at what the Tour de France is doing for tourism in France. A big cycle race or tour brings in millions in revenue for a country or a city," said Salim Yusuf, president of the Tshwane Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). According to Yusuf, the city has singled out cycling as one of the most important vehicles to highlight and promote the ongoing, and very successful, regeneration of the inner city. "I believe it?s a very clever strategy to use cycling to prove to people that Pretoria's city centre is safe. The riders, of whom many will be businessmen, might start to realise that it will be worth their while to invest in the city centre. "Having a race in Pretoria?s city centre is also a nice way to support the Department of Transport's Shova Kalula bicycle programme, which is promoting the use of non-motorised transport. The main focus of this project is to promote cycling as a low cost form of transport. "As part of the programme the Department of Transport wants to give away 1 million bicycles between now and 2015. Their plan is to give away about 60 000 bicycles in the next financial year, the following year it will be 80 000 and then 100 000. "I also think it is about time that Pretoria gets its own big race. Johannesburg has got the 94.7 and Cape Town the Argus while there is no big race of importance yet in Pretoria. "The OUTsurance Mayoral Ride has the potential to become one of the most important races on the local cycling calendar. The people of Pretoria have to buy into the idea and be proud of what is their own. Out of a business point of view it could be worth millions in income to the city. "What I also like about the race is the fact that it is a lap race. One of the reasons cycling is not growing as a spectator sport is the fact that most races are very spectator unfriendly. It is a case of riders starting off early in the morning and disappearing down the road only to be seen a few hours later. "With the OUTride spectators are part and parcel of every pedal stroke all the way. They can see exactly how it unfolds. It?s also wonderful being able to cheer on family members and follow their progress throughout the event. Who knows; seeing everybody racing might just be what some spectators need to take up cycling as a sport themselves." I seriously don't think that this race will ever become a big race like the Argus or 94.7 purely because it is a lap race. I don't think that 10 000 or 20 000 people would like to ride around in circles If they want to make this race big, it should be a course that goes through the most parts of Pretoria Miskien klink ek bietjie suur, maar dit is nie so nie. Ek dink dis 'n great idee om 'n regtige groot race vir Pretoria te probeer organiseer - Maar in sirkels, nee wat Backlash2007-06-21 03:58:26
