Gauteng Transport Commission to host cycling indaba

[Robrider]

Although I agree, it has been shown (like on Oz) that it puts some people off cycling. Its a hot topic perhaps its worth just saying that its a topic of debate. Many cities (like London and most of Europe as far as I know) don't make helmets compulsory.

 

Out of all the pressing issues, I think that is the least important, and the one law that I would support as is.

 

Bicycle lanes, that are separated from vehicle lanes, are way more important. If we could get one point across, that would be it, IMO.

[Mokgaga'a mmakubela!]

why is the workshop on monday not saturday?

 

anyhow, as cyclists i think we should demand bicycle lanes separated [dont want to ride with taxi drivers ] from vehicle lanes in all major routes connecting suburbs and the city. these bicycle lanes could be shared with pedestrians and runners

Edited March 27, 2014 by Leweng

[ScottCM]

To be totally honest i couldn't give a hoot about more people commuting, my main concern is about the present safety of commuters, so as for helmets deterring people away i'm not interested. I do agree with the desire to want a shower etc but once again this isn't an imminent danger to us on the roads right now!

 

The suggestion of a separate cycle lane away from traffic on all new roads is a must and for all old roads i would suggest making the yellow lanes 1.5m wide and putting up the concrete barriers as depicted in

Rata Del Spruit 's photo as a minimum. For example, In Alberton we have the route that everyone cycles past Reitvlei as the yellow lane is nice and broad, but as soon as you head home there are many roads, Swartkoppies (Parts thereof), Jacqueline Ave, Bodmin, Michelle, Hennie Alberts, Fore, Ring Road etc etc that dont even have a foot (305mm) wide yellow lane but there is 10m of grass and path way next to the road. These roads could well be widened or the grass way could be dug up for a separate cycle lane this way not affecting traffic at all. I am sure each and every suburb around the country has the same opportunists for this development. Hell if it means taking part of my grass lawn outside my fence away, do it!!

[ScottCM]

Bump Any other ideas to add to the list guys

[kosmonooit]

One problem I have is the gaping holes on the road and pavements caused by looted manhole and storm water drain covers, what is being done about this? Its been a steady decline over the years, as a cyclist you really notice this. The replacements (in the rare case that they are replaced) don't fit or are that flimsy composite plastic.

 

And then there's the looted circuit breakers from the street lights, often live wires are exposed, no one seems to care.

Edited March 27, 2014 by kosmonooit

[ScottCM]

Here is a photo of the same NEW intersection i showed yesterday but of the light pole before the one mentioned earlier.

 

 

Unfortunately i could only take one photo each time we pass it as the driver (Me being in the passenger seat) keeps getting in the way when i try take a second photo. To crown it all off there is a third light pole (will try take a photo next trip) that is half in the tarred section the other half of the pole if cemented round to form part of the island.

 

any way you look at it this is going to cost money to fix which could have been spent else where.

 

PS Got to love the poster, Ironic isn't it.

Edited March 28, 2014 by ScottC-M

[kosmonooit]

Scott I empathise but its not really cycling related - perhaps you could write a letter to your local newspaper and councillor?

[Azi]

Heard the MEC on 702 earlier this week. He said that part of the initiatives is that every municipality in Gauteng will need to build 10km of cycling lanes every year for the next five years. Sounds like a plan.

[ScottCM]

@ kosmonooit

 

I disagree my friend

 

Their head focus will be lack of funds to transform roads to make then cycling friendly.

 

Here we have a brand new section of road that doesn't have any thought of cycling lanes, and the money wasted on fixing present mistakes like this could have been put to the transformation of cycling lanes. Or is it just me that seems to have this trail of thought?

Edited March 28, 2014 by ScottC-M

[ShawnMano]

We definitely need separate cycle lanes and some sort of way to clean them and keep them clean. I'm referring to the amount of broken glass from bottles on most of our roads and pavements expecially in Johannesburg. Another nice would be bike racks to secure our bikes at shopping centres and public areas. ie a place to lock them too. I recently went to a police station to have copies certified and I had to leave my bike against a tree as there was no where else to put it while I was in the station.

Edited March 28, 2014 by ShawnMano

[kosmonooit]

Here's another for the wish list: as we know bike maintenance needs skills and can be expensive. In the UK / London there is a co-op system, basically a sponsored facility with all the kit where you can go work on your bike,get some help, empower your self.

 

This is really the realm of a NPO but perhaps Province can look at assisting these initiatives - I think there is one in CT Bicycle Empowerment Network, or something like that.

[kosmonooit]

@ kosmonooit

 

I disagree my friend

 

Their head focus will be lack of funds to transform roads to make then cycling friendly.

 

Here we have a brand new section of road that doesn't have any thought of cycling lanes, and the money wasted on fixing present mistakes like this could have been put to the transformation of cycling lanes. Or is it just me that seems to have this trail of thought?

 

Yes but we have to look at making inputs which will hopefully direct some policy - rather sooner than later.

 

What I can say is if they would like some examples of bad planning and implementation that's happening right now, I can fwd that (send me more details please). I can also give them 100's of pics for missing man hole / storm water drain covers that I have taken with my phone whilst on my bike.

 

We need to try an engage positively - the initiative is there, lets help move it fwd.

Edited March 28, 2014 by kosmonooit

[kosmonooit]

We definitely need separate cycle lanes and some sort of way to clean them and keep them clean. I'm referring to the amount of broken glass from bottles on most of our roads and pavements expecially in Johannesburg. Another nice would be bike racks to secure our bikes at shopping centres and public areas. ie a place to lock them too. I recently went to a police station to have copies certified and I had to leave my bike against a tree as there was no where else to put it while I was in the station.

 

Shawn, that's the maintenance aspect I was also referring to, specifically the looted man hole covers, So far I have managed to avoid those holes, but they could cause serious injury. Who is going to be liable? But that's another issue. But the way they approach such street maintenance is wrong, its reactive. They will only go do a repair if someone logs a call. Even if there is something else needing doing right next to that, they wont touch it, you have to log another call. City Power is the same. Jhb Water is the same. And this is public property! So perhaps they need to be proactive on maintenance, esp, bike lanes, they must patrol and fix what need fixing, and maintain them in general. A big ask right now unfortunately, but lets put that forward s an objective.

 

But its also up to us to call in and log those calls about street lights that are out (or have live wires hanging out of them), missing covers etc. I have been doing that, sometimes it takes a follow up call, but the problem does get sorted eventually.

 

PIck It Up are the people who do the cleaning, and they actually do an amazing job of keeping my hood clean (Bellevue)

[nonky]

New legislation dictating that all new office buildings or corporate rental buildings offer adequate showering facilities. I know this sounds petty but I think the idea of arriving at work sweat soaked without anywhere to shower puts a lot of people off commuting.

 

Cycle lanes that are on roads to be separated from road by concrete bumps as per the picture below. Doing this allows cars in trouble to be able to utilise the yellow lane should they break down but makes it extremely uncomfortable for any car trying to move into that lane.

 

http://en.zicla.com/public/img/cycle-track-separator-light-segregation.jpeg

 

Cycle lanes to offer two way traffic. This would reduce the expense as only one cycle lane would need to be constructed.

 

that's a great idea but it does not stop everyone and anyone using the rea vaya bus lanes as a drag strip...

[Wez-O]

As mentioned already, cycling lanes are a must in Gauteng... This would not only benefit "recreational" cyclists such as the majority of people on this forum, BUT especially benefit commuters.

 

In the UK, the government is so keen to promote people cycling to work, that they give you tax refunds when buying a bicycle if you can prove you will ride to work. In Johannesburg, it's not only near impossible to commute, but extremely dangerous!

[kosmonooit]

As mentioned already, cycling lanes are a must in Gauteng... This would not only benefit "recreational" cyclists such as the majority of people on this forum, BUT especially benefit commuters.

 

In the UK, the government is so keen to promote people cycling to work, that they give you tax refunds when buying a bicycle if you can prove you will ride to work. In Johannesburg, it's not only near impossible to commute, but extremely dangerous!

 

Yes, there is a PAYE Tax Credit that is used I think - good idea eventually but its a bad idea to be riding an expensive bike around the streets of Joburg, for a number of reasons.

 

Agree about being very dangerous commuting on a bike here, been doing it for many years but since the quite roads in Dec I haven' done much myself, its jut too hectic with the traffic, almost everyday I commute I have a NDE, just keeping thinking one day soon I will not be able to get out of the way in time, or not see that car or truck turning or pulling out in front of me, at least in a car you are protected in a metal cage.