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RANT: Cape Town City cycle lanes


Hairy

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I ride Albert Road every day and the cycle lane makes it more dangerous for cyclists.

If you're in the lane you're in direct fire for a door opening. Also, the cars that are coming from the side roads pull right into the cycle lane before looking left and right. They have to do this because if they stopped at the stop line the parked cars obscure their vision.

A sharp swerve out of the cycle lane to avoid opening doors, car guards and cars puts you into the cats eyes.

I mainly cycle in the road. It's a big fail. It was never thought out

What Andreas said! 

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I commute often from Blouberg through to town and back often late at night (7pm). Luckily, i have never experienced any hassles, except for the usual obstacles of dirt, glass in certain parts (squatters) and inattentive drivers. Albert Road is a definite challenge too.

However, if we look at the grand scheme of things: this has been a step forward in a car-centric society combined with our monumental social issues. So, is it cool? No. Is it a massive fail? No. Is our society in massive transformation and law abiding citizens few and far between (us cyclists also break numerous laws on every ride, let's be honest). So, if we can, let's make positive contributions, make a difference, make suggestions or just plain help where we can. And enjoy your ride - and be safe.

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  • 4 weeks later...

See on FB a lady runner was stabbed on the cycle lane near Dolfinbeach at 8.30am on Sunday and the guy ran into the dunes.Lady was assisted by a cyclist till her husband arrived.

Any more news about the incident.

Be safe out there

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At 6.30pm last night a brave soul was on Marine Dr in bumper to bumper traffic between Steven Johnson cars and Lagoon beach causing cars to sverve.Fancy front light but rear light not very bright, only on helmet and partly obscured by backpack.

The cycle path only 2m away.Makes no sense!!!!!

After Lagoon beach the cars all hugged the pavement and forced him onto the cycle path!

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At 6.30pm last night a brave soul was on Marine Dr in bumper to bumper traffic between Steven Johnson cars and Lagoon beach causing cars to sverve.Fancy front light but rear light not very bright, only on helmet and partly obscured by backpack.

The cycle path only 2m away.Makes no sense!!!!!

After Lagoon beach the cars all hugged the pavement and forced him onto the cycle path!

that dear sir, is commonly referred to as a chop ... but then the cars were also being chops at the same time I would say ... disclaimer, I DO NOT condone riding on the road with a proper cycle lane available.

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  • 3 weeks later...

To the two cyclists cycling side by side in the road (and taking up the whole lane) past the Milnerton flea market in the direction of Blouberg at ~10.45 yesterday - you're idiots!
 

I just don't see why there's any rational reason why anyone should cycle on the road there?!  I get that avoiding Paarden island one needs to make a plan but the cycle lane is great from the flea market (and the road is super tight) - please don't become another statistic - you'll only have yourself to blame!

Edited by trasver
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  • 3 weeks later...

Lights out on Cycle lane -Paardeneiland - Hijack alley from FW de Klerk/N1 underpass to Lower Church.

Reported to City

Be careful out there

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  • 1 month later...

Don't think because you are on the cycle lane you are going to be safe.Between Woodbridge and the sewerage pump station a container truck and trailer going towards the  harbor jumped the buslane and the oncoming lane and landed in the river pushing a car off the road and on to the river bank.This happened around 3pm .Luckily no cyclists around .

A couple of weeks ago a container truck and container overturned at the Woodbridge  robots,because he was going to fast when the robots changed

Be careful out there

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The container trucks are an absolute menace on that stretch of road.The new container storage  / stacking areas along the N1 and in the Salt River / Maitland area are what make them use this route.

 

I'm not sure what can be done about it, but they simply go too fast and aggressive and WILL cause and have accidents. The best one can do is to anticipate them doing crazy stuff and try not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

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Trucks are menace everywhere. They drive worse then taxi drivers and they know if they knock a car, then they safe as they sitting in a tank

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  • 2 weeks later...

Big up to Paardeneiland Improvement District patrolvan for giving me an escort all the way from Paardeneiland to CT station, on the buslane ,in the dark this morning.Never felt so safe going through Hijack Alley!!!!!!

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  • 5 months later...

I would like to see if this rant is still relevant??? Because the lack of cycling lanes leaving the CBD towards Rondebosch is a joke. Zero enforcement from the City, lanes are deteriorated and even parts dangerous.

 

Estimate how many people use that route on a daily basis? From my experience from the last 2 months easily 50 -100 people daily. Guestimate.... Would like to track and use count to show the City how Shity they are.

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And the ones in Bergvliet Constantia etc a friendly warning not to use as you are likely to get a thorn. Huge thorns from the grass.

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