GROWING concern about traffic congestion in Sandton has prompted the launch of a campaign aimed at encouraging the estimated 9,500 motorists who drive into South Africa’s largest decentralised office node each day to ditch their cars for bicycles. The DecongestSandton initiative could see the roll-out of at least 10 bicycle lock-and-charge stations to encourage the use of greener transport alternatives among employees in Sandton. The Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA), in partnership with electric bicycle importers Cycology and Solid Green Consulting, are behind the company. The initiative comes after the City of Johannesburg announced last year that it was investigating whether to support the safe use of bicycles in South Africa’s largest city. A pilot project for a bicycle and pedestrian programme in Soweto — linking seven schools, two clinics and railway stations — had been planned. Jarrod Lewin, advocacy stakeholder manager at the GBCSA, said on Tuesday Sandton’s traffic gridlock was set to worsen, with a number of new high-rise developments coming on stream over the next two years. New developments under construction or in the pipeline will see Sandton’s office market expand by about 20%, according to the latest figures from the South African Property Owners’ Association. The new developments would result in the estimated 100,000 commuters, using all modes of transport, entering Sandton each day increasing by about 27,000 within the next two years, Mr Lewin said. " That will lead to even further congestion and the undeniable frustration that accompanies it." The initial phase of DecongestSandton will reach out to corporate Sandton to become part of a network of bicycle stations that will allow employees to cycle within the central business district (CBD). "We ultimately envisage bicycle commuting becoming as prevalent, if not a preferred, mode of transport within the Sandton CBD ," Mr Lewin said. "Our dream is for Sandton commuters not only to cycle to the office, but also between offices for meetings, for lunches, for shopping and for getting to and from the Gautrain station." Further, Mr Lewin said the campaign hoped to get motorists residing some distance from the Sandton CBD to park their vehicles at public transport interchanges near their homes. They would then travel into the area by public transport and use either bicycles or electric cycles to travel within the CBD. Solid Green Consulting director Warren Gray said a big challenge would be to dispel the notion that urban bicycle-commuting was impractical and potentially dangerous. "At the moment, many Sandton motorists feel unsafe and as such are button-holed into driving, whether it is the best option or not." A small drop in the number of cars could result in a significant reduction in gridlock. "In many other global cities … the uptake of cycling by a small number of former motorists quickly creates a tipping point, with others more likely to follow suit," Mr Gray said. Cycology CEO Vincent Truter said it was encouraging that local government was trying to promote a cycle-friendly Johannesburg. The construction of cycle lanes in Orlando, Soweto, and in the area between the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand was already under way. http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2014/05/21/initiative-launched-to-make-sandton-bicycle-friendly
