geotrails

Any idea when the National Bike to Work Day is? The Department of Transport is suppossed to be handing out 500,000 bicycles (http://www.transport.gov.za/content.aspx?subID=19 ) during 2009/10. Wonder what bicycle shop got that tender! On my route there are some guys riding really well worn hypermarket bikes. One day I gave this guy from Metalman a tube. His old tube was red throughout - you could hardly see black rubber - there were so many patches. I see his running to work now, not sure, but I think his bike has finally given in! Now heres a challenge to government and the bike industry. On bike to work day, why don't you place yourselves along major cycling routes and hand out product, pamplets and bikes to people who really need it. The voluntary sector (PPA) did it in the Western Cape and hats off to them. Now where's the private sector and government! As for the Department of Transport and Shova Kalula, show us what you are really doing in terms of bicycle commuting and don't tell us how much money you spend without specifying the outcomes!

Heading into a blistering SW is hell in the afternoon, but, hey, cars get it just the same and use more fuel. All you need is a hearty lunch, some attitude and your average dropping by 10km/h. Occasionally a NE blows, then its heaven. Worst part is getting sand blasted by sand coming off the dunes. There are about 7 guys doing the Motherwell / City Centre route every day and this is likely to pick up in the summer. I never ride on the N2, its simply too dangerous. You can ride all the way from Central / Summerstrand to Ngqura without going onto a major road.

Camo - liked your pics - how about this for a ride? For a detailed description and explanation take a look at http://geotrails.blogspot.com 1) Along the Dolosses Bike path beside the N2 (Port Elizabeth) 2) Coming off Brighton Beach onto the bike path 3) A fellow commuter on the bike path 4) Approaching Bluewater Bay 5) Crossing the Zwartkops on the N2 bike path crossing and heading for towpath bike route

I am pitching in rather late on this. There is a long history to the development of cycling facilities in PE and there is actually alot going on. The following needs to be considered: <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 1) The NMBM SDF was approved in March 2009 and makes provision for cycling and pedestrain facilities through an approved Master Plan for which there is funding. Road sign funding should not be a problem 2) SRK did the original study about three years ago and the signs along major cycling routes (for road cyclists - ie Marine, Round the Mountain and Seaview road) are included) Some roads fall under the Metro others fall under Provincial government. 3) Africoast has been working on the cycling paths. Contrary to what our organized cycling leaders are saying in the latest edition of Bicycling, there are more than two bike paths in PE and new ones are being continually implemented. Priorities are listed in the SDF. 4) A key aspect is to increase penalties for motorists when they have incidents with cyclists. Its simple, in <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Europe if you hit a bike, you can expect serious penalties. In SA, its not really an issue. That needs to change and PE can lead the way through local bylaws. All we need to do is lobby for it. What it boils down to is that we need a strong lobby for cycling facilities which is backed up and supported by the organized cycling community. In the mid 1990's a huge amount of work was done by the mountain biking community and we are currently seeing the results in the SDF and all the bike paths going up. That work needs to continue. Perhaps contributors to this forum should get together?

I ride 22km (44km return) per day (I aim for three days per week, but sometimes its 2 and sometimes 5). You can check out a KML file (Google Earth) depicting my route and some thoughts on the experience at http://geotrails.blogspot.com Its a blast!

I always thought Uitenhage was another country! You guys need to learn to follow due process. 1) Lay a charge with the police and have the matter investigated. That way you show the guy you're serious and not going to take his nonsense. Discharging a weapon under those circumstances is a very serious offence. 2) With suspicious vehicles, take the licence plate number and phone SAPS providing details of direction of travel and any suspicions. We're very quick to knock the cops, yet we fail to use them. If they dont react, take it to a higher level! The more noise you make the better for all of us.