RIP Burry Stander

[swsup97]

What a **** way to start off the year !

 

Condolences to friends and family

 

Salute to an inspiring role model , a true champion of modern times

 

Burry, you will be sorely missed.

[Skinnyone]

very sad day indeed! My deepest condolences to all who knew him especially Cherise and Oom Charles and his family.

 

Just a sub note tho...people, lets not go out and burn taxis, what if it was an average joe in his private car that hit him? We don't know the true circumstances of the accident so we can't judge just because it is a taxi...personally I have not had issues with taxis, I have had more run-ins with people in their private cars not stopping, talking on phones and generally not paying attention...

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I would like to remind Hubbers that these threads naturally become a wall of remembrance for our fallen riders.

 

You guys have truly done that and have kept this thread in the true spirit of The Hub and in memory of a great South African.

[Sewanee]

RIP Burry. You made us proud!

My and my family's condolences to Charles, Mundy, Duane, Charl and Cherise.

[Cassie]

It has made the front page of most mainstream newspapers today. Too tragic.

 

Someone, some pages back, suggested sharing stories about Burry. Here's mine…

 

I first learned who he was because of a photo sequence in a mag. He and Bunny Loubser got into a tangle on the run-in to the finish of a race (I think it was a national XC race at Fountains, but may be mistaken).

 

I saw him at races over the years, but only met him when Andrew McLean introduced me to him when SuperCycling did an outside broadcast from the bike park in Bryanston. Seemed a decent kid. Had time for everyone. Later that year, I had the pleasure of interviewing him after the WC race in PMB. He finished third that year. Hermida won - I can't remember who came second - but Burry was pleased with the result.

 

Fast forward a couple of years…to my favourite memory of him. I walked down from The Star's offices to Turbine Hall for the launch of the route for the 2012 Cape Epic with my brother, who knew Burry and Cherise very well. As we walked through the gate, some dude in a Polo (not good with cars, but I think it was a Polo) beeped his horn at us. Couldn't see who it was, so we carried on walking. The driver parked then ran over to us. It was Burry. He starts laughing, and says: "What? Because I am not driving a bling car you don't recognise me?"

 

RIP, kid. Taken away too soon.

 

Nice one Tumbles!!

[Mojoman]

Personally I think its time the various cycling bodies/associations become more active politically as well as legally? If nothing is going to happen to the murderers on our road due to an inept state prosecutor then surely civil proceedings for various damages can be brought about by lawyers against these people who should be kept of the road.

[sommernet]

True Condolences to his wife and family, Burry you will always be our Hero and your achievements inspirational, especially after doing

the 2012 Cape Epic and rubbing shoulders with such a humble winner! RIP

[Paulst12]

Carla Swart 2 years ago, and now Burry... I hope they are both finally "Riding in Peace"

[BMXER]

According to the Witness newspaper- the taxi turned in front of him, he went through the passenger window. Father on scene shortly after, wife arrived after accident and held him till. Mother hospitalized. Driver stopped.

 

Truly sad, cried after reading article.

[Messier87]

I never met the legend, but he was often in my mind while preparing for a ride or busy pushing myself to my limits. I wanted to be like him...

 

My 5 year old has Spiderman. I have Burry!

 

 

Condolences to his parents, Chrise and family.

[Big Mac]

Definitely a shocker to hear...Condolences to the family.

I see Specialized has updated their website to pay tribute to Mr Stander...http://www.specialized.com/us/en/home/

Edited January 4, 2013 by BIG Mac

[ZakAttak]

Condolences to the Stander and Taylor Families.... May you rest in Peace.....

[Guest The Bushpig]

What a tragic waste of a young life.

 

Sincere condolences to the Stander Family. You are all in the thoughts and prayers of strangers and friends alike.

[gummibear]

I am very sad at the death of Burry Stander yesterday.Cycling has lost a very talented young rider.RIP Burry and condolences to Cherise and family.This was the last photo i took of Burry at Houffalize World Cup.

 

 

[TriGuru76]

Time to get this going again!!!!

 

http://www.sign-up.co.za/interview

 

SPIN – November 2007, Bicycling Magazine

 

ACTION FIGURE - SAFETY OFFICER

INSTEAD OF JUST ACCEPTING THE LACK OF SAFETY FOR CYCLISTS ON SOUTH AFRICAN ROADS, SHAUN HANNIE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND STARTED THE SIGN-UP INITIATIVE

 

By Sean Badenhorst

 

The lack of safety on our roads is probably the biggest limiting factor to the growth of cycling as a sport in South Africa. An average of 300 cyclists are killed in this country each year as a result of vehicle related accidents. That’s only deaths, not seriously injured or permanently maimed.

 

Unlike many other countries in Europe and in Australia and Canada, where cyclists are given respect by motorists and enjoy significant protection by law, South African cyclists carry a huge risk each time they set out on the road.

After cycling most of his life, Shaun Hannie stopped at age 30 to focus on building his business. Twelve years later, in 2003, he won a bicycle in a Tour de France competition and he began cycling again only discover the roads were a lot more dangerous as a result of significantly increased traffic volumes. In January this year, Graham Cooper and Sybrandt van Dyk were killed while cycling on the popular Lido route in the south of Joburg. This prompted Hannie, who lives in the area and rides the same roads, to start Sign-Up.

HOW EXACTLY DOES ‘SIGN-UP’ WORK?

 

We aim to raise safety awareness among all road users by erecting warning signs along the most popular cycling training routes. To achieve this we have to rely on donations and sponsorship from the cycling community, as the local and national authorities do not have sufficient funds in their budgets to assist us. Once sufficient funds have been raised to purchase signs, we then submit a map with the proposed route to the national and local road authorities that then survey the route to recommend safe placement of the signs. Once these routes have been surveyed and positions for the signs established, they then assist in erecting the signs.

 

HOW MANY SIGNS SO FAR AND WHERE?

 

To date, over 60 signs have been erected along the Lido and other training routes in the south of Joburg and over 50 signs near the Cradle of Humankind/Lion Park Route in the northwest of Joburg. In the upcoming weeks 12 signs will be erected in the Centurion/Pretoria south areas. Plans are underway to erect signs in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town with funding in place. We’re just awaiting written approval from the Nelson Mandela Metro and the Western Cape roads authorities.

 

HOW DO THE SIGNS MAKE CYCLING SAFER?

 

Firstly by warning motorists that cyclists are present and that they should approach more carefully and also that their liability in case of a collision with a cyclist increases significantly simply because they have been specifically warned to look out for cyclists.

 

IS THERE A DECLINE IN ACCIDENTS ON ROUTES WHERE YOU HAVE HAD SIGNS ERECTED?

 

No scientific surveys have been conducted, but according to the many cyclists who train on both the Lido and Cradle of Humankind routes in Gauteng, motorists and especially truck drivers, have been a lot more courteous and have afforded them a whole lot more road space when passing.

WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN LIKE FROM:

 

THE CYCLISTS?

 

This group has been appreciative of the fact that these signs will assist in reducing, if not stopping the needless deaths and injuries. Having said that, the signs erected thus far have all been paid for by a minority of cyclists who do care about their own safety and that of other cyclists. We would be able to achieve much more if the majority assisted financially.

 

THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES?

 

This has been a mixed-reaction group whereby their first reaction is that there is no room for cyclists on the roads and once the rights of cyclists have been explained, they loosen up and have been a tremendous help especially with erecting signs. Ekurhuleni, for example, has erected and paid for over 20 signs on Swartkoppies Road in Alberton.

THE MEDIA IN GENERAL?

 

The community newspapers have really helped by creating exposure for this initiative. I have also been interviewed by Jon Gerricke on his sports programme on SAfm.

 

THE NATIONAL AUTHORITIES?

 

The national authorities generally have been problematic in firstly granting permission and secondly to have their departments assist with erecting of signs. The Gauteng Roads Department and especially a John Falkner have been very helpful in getting this initiative off the ground.

 

YOUR CAMPAIGN BEGAN CLOSE TO HOME. WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVING NATIONAL SUCCESS?

Finding people in other centres with the same assion and drive that I have to get this initiative started in their own centres. On my own, I am unable to manage dealing with all the local and national authorities.

 

HOW CAN THIS BE OVERCOME?

 

I believe we need to tackle this at government level whereby the MEC’s can liaise with the various local and national authorities so that they all have the same understanding as to what Sign-Up is aiming to achieve and offer their assistance.

CAN CYCLE RACES GET INVOLVED IN SIGN-UP?

 

This is the only way that Sign-Up can achieve national success as the biggest stumbling block is funding. If the major cycle tours can offer their assistance in raising funds we can roll out cycle safe signs a lot faster and save a lot more lives.

 

As an example, if the Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay Cycle Tour offers to donate R5 per entry fee and if 35 000 people enter, we will have R175 000 to purchase 437 signs. If the other major races like Amashova and 94.7 do the same, we will be able to have signs posted on all the major training routes across South Africa.

 

HOW CAN CORPORATES WITH AN INTEREST IN CYCLING GET INVOLVED?

 

The most obvious is fundraising. To date corporates such as Probike have sponsored cycling equipment, which we have offered as prizes to raise funds for our initiative.

 

HOW CAN THE AVERAGE CYCLIST/BICYCLING READER GET INVOLVED IN SIGN-UP?

 

By becoming ambassadors of cycle safety and encouraging fellow cyclists to act responsibly and to identify routes where signs can be erected. Sponsorship once again will also assist.

 

DO YOU THINK CYCLISTS WILL EVER BE GIVEN THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE FROM MOTORISTS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

 

I believe that the biggest enemy of cyclists is cyclists themselves. We (cyclists) need to start acting responsibly by adhering to the rules of the road. If we start by obeying the rules that are there to protect us, only then will motorists start respecting us. Sign-Up will also assist in ongoing road safety education of both motorists and cyclists.

 

WHEN DO YOU BELIEVE YOU’LL BE SATISFIED WITH THE SUCCESS OF SIGN-UP?

 

I am already satisfied as I have exceeded my expectations in such a short time frame. If, through Sign-Up, I help save only one life (hopefully these signs will save a lot more than that), then I am achieving my main objective, which is to save lives.

[Wil6]

According to the Witness newspaper- the taxi turned in front of him, he went through the passenger window. Father on scene shortly after, wife arrived after accident and held him till. Mother hospitalized. Driver stopped.

 

Truly sad, cried after reading article.

Wow, it's a sad story.I'm lost for words and terribly sad today