Gauteng Transport Commission to host cycling indaba

[RastaMan]

I currently commute to work 2-3 times a week from Randburg to Sandton

 

I can't say they I know of any road that has permanent yellow lanes or even pavements.

And to make the ending of pavements road bike friendly with a ramp.

 

A road like CR swart is used by 1000's of cyclists each day some for commuting, some for training and almost all of the people traveling to and from diepsloot use this road, it has ample space for yellow lanes

 

Other roads to be considered

Malibongwe

Republic

Hill Street

Braam Fischer

Conrad Drive

William Nicol

Sandton drive

grayston drive

[kosmonooit]

Jah rasta man, there are more than a few, William NIcol is one I use occasionally, not even a pavement for pedestrians at certain points.

 

Other point I want to raise is Road Closures that abound, every closed road should allow cyclists and pedestrians through, some near me have those swivel pedestrian gates which is impossible to get through.

Edited March 30, 2014 by kosmonooit

[DJR]

CYCLE LANES people EVERYWHERE and SEPARATE from the cars! Take it from the Capies!

[kosmonooit]

Here's my first draft, comments?

 

Submission to the Cycling Indaba hosted by the Gauteng Transport Commission

31st March 2014

 

Me and other members of The Hub cycling forum

 

1) It is the experience of many of us that cyclists and motorists cannot share the same roads. It is simply too dangerous for a number of reasons. A 1m or 1.5m law might help, but most of us believe this would just be ignored by most motorists, just like other traffic rules are systematically ignored (red traffic lights, stop streets, turning in front of you, driving on shoulder of the road to name but a few)

 

2) Cycle lanes should be built independently and away from roads where ever possible. In the case of where they have to run next to and part of a road, they should be isolated via raised concrete rubble strips. Cycle lanes could be two-way where appropriate.

 

3) Pavements should be considered for cycle lanes - Johannesburg has many underutilised wide pavements. Cyclists and pedestrians can co-exist, although it should be established that pedestrians should always have right of way.

 

4) Many roads in Johannesburg have no shoulder (some don’t even have a pavement for pedestrians), forcing cyclists into the traffic, and certain death. Every road should be provided with a demarcated shoulder in the absence of cycle lanes.

 

5) Many intersections with slip roads have no pedestrian crossings, making it dangerous for cyclists as well to cross. These should be established with at least a yield sign, if not a user activated traffic light.

 

6) Safely whilst stationery at traffic light is an issue for many, both in terms of vulnerability from other vehicles behind one, and from attack and mugging, so we should try find some creative solutions here.

 

6) Maintenance of the roads (and pavements) is a major issues for cyclists, not only in terms of pot holes, but also missing / stolen man-hole and storm water drain covers, and replacements often don’t fit or last. Maintenance by Roads Departments should be pro-active, not re-active, and little seems to have been done to stop the looting.

 

7) Road closures should be required make provision for cyclists. Some do have pedestrian gates which are impassible on a bicycle. This should be applied retrospectively to all road closures.

 

 

Wishlist/Other

 

- To promote cycling as a sport and a lifestyle, assistance should be provided in developing recreational facilities such as BMX Bike Parks and Mountain Bike Trails on disused land.

 

- The maintenance of a bicycle is essential, and this can often be a barrier due to expense. In the London, UK there are Bike Co-ops, essentially a workshop with tools staffed by a skilled person where you can do the work yourself and get some help if necessary for free. Could similar facilities be seeded here?

 

-The compulsory wearing of a helmet by law is debatable - its be shown in some countries where that is law, it has discouraged some from cycling. Its also felt that its not a prime issue in the scope of cycling issues in Gauteng.

[Bianchisti]

To be totally honest i couldn't give a hoot about more people commuting, my main concern is about the present safety of commuters,

 

Me neither but this indaba is exactly about getting more people to commute etc. per se, and we have to leverage that to our own advantage. As cyclists we hardly ever get anyone to listen to our issues, so we have to use this platform carefully. Going in there pushing our own "agenda" may not get us much sympathy so we have to be seen to be subscribing to this "more commuters, cleaner environment, healthier population" stuff. It's all valid of course so we have play the politics to get the best results.

[Bianchisti]

I'd like to see the roll out of cycle lanes be driven by a safe cycling concept. You can have all the cycle lanes in the world but if it's unsafe, people just won't use it. An example would be taxis tail gaiting or cutting off and slamming on brakes in front of a cyclist in order to pick up commutors. Thats the argument for your point 1 above.

 

I think at some point we will have to share the road with motorists even if in limited areas (saturday morning training ride for example. Cycle lane may not do for your session). And here the attitude of motorists would need to change. They have to be made accountable for their actions. I would like to see a law that makes it possible for motorists to be charged with murder where their actions ended the life's of other road users.

[ScottCM]

One last point from my side if its not to late, the government must use the media. Get the news to broadcast the cycle lanes(if deployed) and like when prosecuting motorist who have hit a cyclist, this will en-turn plant the seed for all motorist that the government will make them pay if they dont follow the law.

[kosmonooit]

So .... I went through and listened for a few hours about the various local and provincial gov big schemes. Yes, some cycle lanes are being built, where they think they should. Like Soweto, where there are very few cyclists. But they have a scheme to give away bicycles (which is mistake imho). And another big scheme to link Alex to Sandton.

 

I didn't think they would be open to the sort of input I prepared, they are so wound up in their own worlds so I didn't present but I did circulate it.

 

Its all about masterplans, frameworks, MMT's and big schemes, Little impetus to find creative and cost-effective solutions, let alone make the streets of Jhb bike friendly. Maintenance was not mentioned.

 

Although the MEC Dr Vadi is a cyclist, so that's a good thing.

[RocknRolla]

I saw a mention of Giving away bicycles on tweeta.

 

I agree, a big mistake, what they are effectively handing out with those bicycles is a death sentance, unless proper infastructure exists. But even before the infrastructure falls into place it will mean sweet blue if basic rules of the road are not enforced.

 

and thats how ou buy votes - give (promise) free s**t to the masses. Ignore the blatantly obvious.

[kosmonooit]

Giving away bikes to poor people: good idea in principle, but unfortunately most would find currency at the scrap metal markets in the locations. Sure, have a scheme to help someone get a bike if they want, but they should have to chip in something, its about a sense of ownership. That's been my experience with tech staff and laptops.

 

Dr Vadi also talked about cycling being a middle class activity (he didn't have to say white, but I think everyone knows that). It is true, but that just means cycling as a sport, leisure activity, and lifestyle can and should be promoted in other communities. And the youth / schools are a good way to start. Mode of transport will follow.

Edited April 1, 2014 by kosmonooit

[Robrider]

So .... I went through and listened for a few hours about the various local and provincial gov big schemes. Yes, some cycle lanes are being built, where they think they should. Like Soweto, where there are very few cyclists. But they have a scheme to give away bicycles (which is mistake imho). And another big scheme to link Alex to Sandton.

 

I didn't think they would be open to the sort of input I prepared, they are so wound up in their own worlds so I didn't present but I did circulate it.

 

Its all about masterplans, frameworks, MMT's and big schemes, Little impetus to find creative and cost-effective solutions, let alone make the streets of Jhb bike friendly. Maintenance was not mentioned.

 

Although the MEC Dr Vadi is a cyclist, so that's a good thing.

 

Thanks for going though. I think its good to be represented at least, and get good feedback.

 

I see the same sort of problem all around though, referring to these big worded plans that are far removed from reality. Was listening to the traffic departments plans to "re-brand" all traffic law enforcement agencies in to the same uniform and standards, etc etc... We have some of the worst road death rates in the world, but sure, change their uniforms, that will help. And for all the practical questions that were asked the answer was basically: "that comes later in the plan"

[Robrider]

Dr Vadi also talked about cycling being a middle class activity (he didn't have to say white, but I think everyone knows that). It is true, but that just means cycling as a sport, leisure activity, and lifestyle can and should be promoted in other communities. And the youth / schools are a good way to start. Mode of transport will follow.

 

I don't see how that's a bad thing. They should be promoting cycling for commuter transport in the middle class, because lower earners all get transported in taxi's and trains, middle income earners probably make the majority of road traffic users (people that drive 1 in a car).

 

I know I made assumptions, but I think they not too far off.

[RocknRolla]

The recent demographics of the middle class does not equate to white.

TBH, i dont see it as a white activity at all. The amount of non-white cyclists on the road over a weekend, and at races are on the up, and i am not referring to the development riders here.

 

The only seperation in my mind exists between using a bicycle as a mode of transport vs using it as a recreatonal tool. Only then can you seperate between white commuters being middle class vs non-white commuters being predominantly blue-collar. But to me it makes no difference what you background or motivation is for cycling.

 

If you are on the road, better adhere to the rules (even the red lights) in your car, on foot, and on your bicycle.

 

That was my procrastination for the day - back to my deadline.

[ScottCM]

 

Dr Vadi also talked about cycling being a middle class activity (he didn't have to say white, but I think everyone knows that).

 

I dont know many Middle class workers that live in their "planned" cycle lane area's such as soweto and from Alex to Sandton. Is it just me that thinks they are contradicting themselves here?

[kosmonooit]

I dont know many Middle class workers that live in their "planned" cycle lane area's such as soweto and from Alex to Sandton. Is it just me that thinks they are contradicting themselves here?

 

What they were saying is that right now its a middle class activity (although reaches to the upper crust, like those who will/can spend R100k+ on bike). White yes, look who lines up at events, I would venture to say 95%+ but so what that doesn't bother me, it is what it is, and any cyclist of other races are always welcome.

 

But what their plan is make cycling an alternative mode of transport for those who are spending up to 20% of their earning on transport (taxis etc)

 

I had a chuckle when the Joburg Cadre cited 'topography' as an issue, 'Joburg is not flat' she said. Hey, for me that is a part of the what I enjoy, cycling up Munro Drive every time I commute, and often even taking a longer route so I can get a bit of climbing on a commute/ride.

Edited April 1, 2014 by kosmonooit

[kosmonooit]

It also just reflects how the powers that be are operating, They are sitting around in workshops, going on junkets etc and coming up with what should be. The fact that cycling is almost non-existent in the communities where they are building these big schemes, is not a factor. And yes, "apartheid legacy" was mentioned.

 

And of these bikes that they have given away to try and get cycling as a mode of transport, has there been follow up research as to the efficacy of this project? Are the bikes still in the owners hands and being used after 1 week? 1 month? 6 months? a year? If not, what happened?

 

I often cycle along with black guys commuting from the northerns suburbs south, generally on older road bikes or mtb's with v brakes, yet to see one of those giveaways in action, or a black woman commuting. Or a whitey women now that I think about it.