Safest place to cross Loius Botha (Jhb)?

[arabsandals]

Views anyone? Apart from that I spelled Louis wrong in the title...

 

I have to cross but want to make sure I limit my risk (both in terms of traffic and tsotsis).

 

At the moment my route (into Sandton, running East- West, as yet untested) takes me over at the intersection of Athol and Louis Botha. I would appreciate input on whether or not there is a more suitable location.

Edited November 6, 2013 by arabsandals

[kosmonooit]

Every day I risk my life crossing this road at the Upper Houghton side. Wait for Green man at traffic light, and use the pedestrian crossing BUT taxis, buses, SUV's and assorted skoros will continue to fly through when the light is red for them, so one really cannot take anything for granted.

[Uni]

I hate even driving through that intersection as it's right by balfour park and it's used a taxi rank and they go and stop when and how they want. It's safer from a tsotsi point of view IMO because it's so busy but rather head down a block or 2 and cross at the next set of lights and ride around because with the turn arrows you're gonna be risking your life there.

[davetapson]

I cross at a couple of different places.

1. LB and 9th St (Radium Beer Hall corner.): Just go with the traffic. Doesn't seem particularly dangerous here.

2. On to LB at Osborne Rd, cross the traffic exit on to Houghton Drive. This a bit dodgy - also ride with (in) the traffic. Do the same going home. As long as you keep your wits about you and watch the traffic (difficult when it is behind you!) it is ok. Do the same thing in reverse going home.

3. LB and Fir: exit Fir and enter St Peter on the other side. Have to wait for traffic, but once clear, is fine.

 

My view is that it is safer to be going with the traffic as far as is possible. I don't get off and walk, or take pedestrian crossings. Traffic is like a river, better to go with the flow than try and oppose it.

 

That said, I will ride a block or two out of my route to avoid intersections I don't like, or find a way of making them more manageable - e.g. North Reef Rd and Yaldwin - I cross Yaldwin before I get to the intersection, cut the corner, and then cross North Reef Rd - in doing so I cut out the intersection.

 

Eye contact and wits. Can't be complacent or you can get flattened.

[davetapson]

Would it make any difference if you ducked into 11th or 10th to avoid the intersection?

 

Problem is that if there are no robots, you end up waiting for a break in the traffic..?

[arabsandals]

Thanks all.

 

I don't have to cross there, it just happened to be on the "safe" route I've plotted. I think I'll head South a block or two and scope out the crossing as I go. I've had "the conversation" with the wife, which went ok (not) and plan on riding in on Friday or Monday. If I haven't responded to this thread by Tuesday afternoon I will be... hard at work with no time for playing on the hub (hopefully).

[kosmonooit]

A route I often take in my car is 6th Avenue, a few roads south of Athol street. Relatively quiet traffic light, minimal taxis.

Edited November 6, 2013 by kosmonooit

[beanz]

A route I often take in my car is 6th Avenue, a few roads south of Athol street. Relatively quiet traffic light, minimal taxis.

 

Best option anywhere on Louis Botha

[G e r h a r d Odendaal]

What about riding early in the morning? The traffic should be less?

[Delgado]

......and to think there was a time when I rode on the entire length of Louis Botha avenue daily both ways JHB-PTA!!

[arabsandals]

Once again thanks all. Very helpful advice. It looks like 6th Ave. is a winner. I will be doing this early in the morning. Probably before 7am depending on how long it takes me to get there. I'll be leaving Sandton at around 4:45 so traffic will be a shocker on the way back but hopefully I will have controlled this largely through my route selection.