Cycling Lanes are coming to Johannesburg

[Spidermonkey]

I have now used the Braamfontein cycle paths several times. The green surface is great, but there are a number of confusing twists and turns in the paths. It also seems that momentum has been lost, as the uphill cycle path along Enoch Sontonga is still standing incomplete.

 

It is great to finally have some cycle paths in the city. However, it would be interesting to see some stats on the usage of these paths, as I have hardly seen anyone else use them beside cars, buses, taxis and pedestrians. Did CoJ do some analysis of pre/post cycle path cyclist tracking (which is frequently done on cycle paths in several European cities)? I'd like to know if the Braamfontein cycle paths have encouraged more cyclists to use these routes.

[Robrider]

I have now used the Braamfontein cycle paths several times. The green surface is great, but there are a number of confusing twists and turns in the paths. It also seems that momentum has been lost, as the uphill cycle path along Enoch Sontonga is still standing incomplete.

 

It is great to finally have some cycle paths in the city. However, it would be interesting to see some stats on the usage of these paths, as I have hardly seen anyone else use them beside cars, buses, taxis and pedestrians. Did CoJ do some analysis of pre/post cycle path cyclist tracking (which is frequently done on cycle paths in several European cities)? I'd like to know if the Braamfontein cycle paths have encouraged more cyclists to use these routes.

 

I agree. Unfortunately the cycle lanes start where my commute ends, so they don't help me. I haven't seen anyone using them yet. I do think it is a step in the right direction though, so maybe it will carry on (not holding my breath though). 

[ScottCM]

the problem is that they had to start somewhere, unfortunately i feel they started at the wrong end. the cyclist first have to get safely out the suburbs and townships before they can reach the city. a lot of them including myself also never go into town but would be making a lot more use from the lanes if they had started visa versa

[Gandalf]

I have now used the Braamfontein cycle paths several times. The green surface is great, but there are a number of confusing twists and turns in the paths. It also seems that momentum has been lost, as the uphill cycle path along Enoch Sontonga is still standing incomplete.

 

It is great to finally have some cycle paths in the city. However, it would be interesting to see some stats on the usage of these paths, as I have hardly seen anyone else use them beside cars, buses, taxis and pedestrians. Did CoJ do some analysis of pre/post cycle path cyclist tracking (which is frequently done on cycle paths in several European cities)? I'd like to know if the Braamfontein cycle paths have encouraged more cyclists to use these routes.

I see at certain areas they have put up those small yellow bumps like next to the rea vaya bus lanes. I think one such place is on Jorissen Street (from corner of Bertha street - I think). But from that point it was flooded with parked cars. 

 

Are the cycle lanes only meant to be open from a specific time?

[I_Cycle_Jozi]

I cycle from Crosby to Forest Town almost everyday. With the new lanes, I changed my route slightly so I could ride more of the lanes. On the days that I cycle, I see at MINIMUM one other cyclists on the lanes, mainly on the piece from 8th Street to Caroline Street. 

 

At least 60% of my journey to work is now on cycle lanes, most of it is still incomplete, but the feeling of riding in that space, a space that I know is soon going to belong to cyclists, it is rewarding!

 

I agree that there is still a lot to be done, education (for both motorists and cyclists),, integration with public transport, bike share schemes, and safety and awareness campaigns. However, as some of you have mentioned, this is definitely a step in the right direction. The City has held up their end of the bargain, "cycle lanes are being constructed", there is still a lot to be done, but it is our responsibility, just as much as it is the City's, to popularize these lanes. Even if it means adding them to our morning or our weekend recreational rides. We have gained some level of momentum with the City, we need to show the City that we support them and we want more. 

[I_Cycle_Jozi]

I see at certain areas they have put up those small yellow bumps like next to the rea vaya bus lanes. I think one such place is on Jorissen Street (from corner of Bertha street - I think). But from that point it was flooded with parked cars. 

 

Are the cycle lanes only meant to be open from a specific time?

The yellow rumble strips along the cycle lane in Braamfontein was a pilot we used to see how motorists react. Besides buses and taxi, the response was great! Those rumble strips will be carried on along the entire UJ/Wits route. And no, the cycle lane is meant to be 24 hours.

 

We asked CoJ to have the rumble strips further apart so that cyclists can pass in and out easily, but we will see if this will be done. JUCA is continuously providing the City with feedback on the lanes, so I will make sure that the useful comments/feedback brought up on this thread reach the City in some way or another. 

[Rusty250]

Step in the right direction  

 

Had a car on Main almost hit us on the road shoulder, this morning and then insult us tooo.

 

So glad they spoke another language which I conveniently can not understand. Driver wanted to argue and the governor doing her nails insisted to drive away..  

[Spidermonkey]

Great to hear that the cycle paths are getting some usage! They are definitely a step in the right direction. It's also worth noting that growing a commuter cyclist culture is a slow, organic process that many larger and better-equipped cities (e.g. New York, London etc) are still struggling with.

[Gandalf]

The yellow rumble strips along the cycle lane in Braamfontein was a pilot we used to see how motorists react. Besides buses and taxi, the response was great! Those rumble strips will be carried on along the entire UJ/Wits route. And no, the cycle lane is meant to be 24 hours.

 

We asked CoJ to have the rumble strips further apart so that cyclists can pass in and out easily, but we will see if this will be done. JUCA is continuously providing the City with feedback on the lanes, so I will make sure that the useful comments/feedback brought up on this thread reach the City in some way or another. 

Awesome! is there a map to show where the cycle lane routes are currently? I only know that piece that i mentioned. 

[ScottCM]

I know a lot have seen this brochure from Safe Cycling but i truly believe that for us cyclist on the road to be safer and have driver give us the respect on the road we want , that we need to look at our own behaviour while on the bike. Read through the brochure and take note of how we can change the mindset of others around us.

 

[ScottCM]

Pay particular attention to the gripes that motorists have with Us as a community

 

[rawbone]

 

 

[Dirkitech]

I have now used the Braamfontein cycle paths several times. The green surface is great, but there are a number of confusing twists and turns in the paths. It also seems that momentum has been lost, as the uphill cycle path along Enoch Sontonga is still standing incomplete.

 

It is great to finally have some cycle paths in the city. However, it would be interesting to see some stats on the usage of these paths, as I have hardly seen anyone else use them beside cars, buses, taxis and pedestrians. Did CoJ do some analysis of pre/post cycle path cyclist tracking (which is frequently done on cycle paths in several European cities)? I'd like to know if the Braamfontein cycle paths have encouraged more cyclists to use these routes.

this is south africa, of course there was no analysis done.

[I_Cycle_Jozi]

Awesome! is there a map to show where the cycle lane routes are currently? I only know that piece that i mentioned. 

 

 

There are maps, but these are not yet consolidated into one map. You can find the UJ/Wits route here and the some of the other routes here. 

 

 

JUCA has been involved in the UJ/Wits project and we are planning to direct all other NMT/cycle lane projects in the same direction. That is a standardised set of colors, surface, markings, signage , etc. 

 

At the moment, all of the cycle lanes look totally different!!

 

[Gandalf]

 

 

 

There are maps, but these are not yet consolidated into one map. You can find the UJ/Wits route here and the some of the other routes here. 

 

 

JUCA has been involved in the UJ/Wits project and we are planning to direct all other NMT/cycle lane projects in the same direction. That is a standardised set of colors, surface, markings, signage , etc. 

 

At the moment, all of the cycle lanes look totally different!!

 

 

Awesome thanks for that. Are both the blue and red streets completed bike lanes?

 

How safe is that intersection on Solomon and 8th street? 

I wanted to ride that way but i was put off because a colleague of mine was threatened with a gun on that exact spot. Safety is a big concern for me. I rather go empire and up jan smuts.

[johanpre44]

No plans for Bike Lanes in Sandton Area?