Safety of cyclists in jeopardy in SA

[News bot]

South African cycling heavyweights have come out in force against the state of cycling safety in South Africa. Cyclists across the spectrum are increasingly under attack from road users and criminals. From the well-publicised recent muggings and bike-jackings caught on a GoPro camera in the Cape, to the much-maligned 1.5m cyclist leeway battle with vehicles on SA’s infamous roads, something needs to be done.

 

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[jpsteyn]

I agree 100%. its not fun to feel the need to be armed with pepper spray and tazers just to gou out for a ride.

 

bike parks is an awesome idea and I support it. but we as cyclists also need to adapt to the changes in our community. Rather gou out as a group and always keep your eyes open for possible ambush locations. and if you see someone that looks a bit suspect go far around that person/s.

 

With that being said, I hope bike parks becomes a reality bit until then our safety is our own responsibility. So we all must be extra careful.

[Lord Catapult]

Two safe parks really. So Rietvlei Farms and Thaba Trails just don't exist or aren't they safe because they have signed on with tracker.

 

I ride there and I feel just as safe as I feel at Modderfontein and Avianto.

[Disher]

be vigilant folk....

Edited August 25, 2014 by Disher

[ryanbritchford]

I smell advertising:$

[Pieterg]

Tracker maybe

[RocknRolla]

I thought this article is going to inform us on how cycling heavyweights are engaging parlaiment to do something about the rampant crime is this ineptocracy...

[Uni]

engaging parlaiment to do something about the rampant crime is this ineptocracy...

Parliament - ??? It's not gonna happen, it will require private companies like tracker to step up and do it - much like outsurance and their pointsmen.

For joburg roadies, there's a glimmer of hope with Parks Tau, but until then I think it needs to be a case of watch your back and watch out for your fellow cyclist.

[Seeker911]

Whether it goes to parliament or not it will never happen. The cANCer created an environment of chaos and lawlessness in the build up to to 1994 in order to achieve its goals. It will take another 200 years to reverse the thinking of the people. In the meantime many cyclists, runners and pedestrians are going to die tragic deaths and you and I may very well be amongst them.

 

The only way to turn this around quickly will be to have be some serious law ENFORCEMENT and I mean radical law enforcement. What we need is a police state much akin to what happens in many US states. Dont F__K with the law or you will end up in jail. The problem with this is this will also not happen because the biggest perpetrators and law breakers are the cANCer MP's, the blue brigade inter alia and they dont wont radical law enforcement because this will halt the current state of affairs where self enrichment, thievery etc etc are at the top of the agenda.

 

Sorry to sound so morbid so early in the morning but I very much believe the above the be correct.

[Groadie]

A tongue in cheek look at the future of safe cycling rides: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2014/07/not-too-far-away.html

[Fabian46]

Whether it goes to parliament or not it will never happen. The cANCer created an environment of chaos and lawlessness in the build up to to 1994 in order to achieve its goals. It will take another 200 years to reverse the thinking of the people. In the meantime many cyclists, runners and pedestrians are going to die tragic deaths and you and I may very well be amongst them.

 

The only way to turn this around quickly will be to have be some serious law ENFORCEMENT and I mean radical law enforcement. What we need is a police state much akin to what happens in many US states. Dont F__K with the law or you will end up in jail. The problem with this is this will also not happen because the biggest perpetrators and law breakers are the cANCer MP's, the blue brigade inter alia and they dont wont radical law enforcement because this will halt the current state of affairs where self enrichment, thievery etc etc are at the top of the agenda.

 

Sorry to sound so morbid so early in the morning but I very much believe the above the be correct.

 

Not morbid....just bitter.

 

Put a smile on your dial sunshine...

[kosmonooit]

Whether it goes to parliament or not it will never happen. The cANCer created an environment of chaos and lawlessness in the build up to to 1994 in order to achieve its goals. It will take another 200 years to reverse the thinking of the people. In the meantime many cyclists, runners and pedestrians are going to die tragic deaths and you and I may very well be amongst them.

 

The only way to turn this around quickly will be to have be some serious law ENFORCEMENT and I mean radical law enforcement. What we need is a police state much akin to what happens in many US states. Dont F__K with the law or you will end up in jail. The problem with this is this will also not happen because the biggest perpetrators and law breakers are the cANCer MP's, the blue brigade inter alia and they dont wont radical law enforcement because this will halt the current state of affairs where self enrichment, thievery etc etc are at the top of the agenda.

 

Sorry to sound so morbid so early in the morning but I very much believe the above the be correct.

 

Police State? No thanks, been there, done that. It sucks.

 

And sometimes the law(s) suck as well. Like not being able to ride a bike on the pavement.

[Bateleur1]

I thought this article is going to inform us on how cycling heavyweights are engaging parlaiment to do something about the rampant crime is this ineptocracy...

 

They are too busy dealing with the JuJu Circus. Addressing real issues in SA is not their primary concern

[ROSSSWI]

I often fantasize about stealing certain peoples bikes, but only because I want to ride them:) not because I need the money to get drunk and/or high.

 

I'm afraid its heading the same way as many other aspects of our lives in SA... private healthcare, private estates,private schools etc....(not saying these don't exist in other countries, but they're not virtually necessities) we won't be able to leave our homes with out being under the safety net of private entities. There's lots of money to be made off us. Why doesn't a big business buy a massive piece of land and create a private state, they can call it Lesotho-tho.

 

Ok I'm just ranting, its a good idea this bike park thing, I'm lucky enough to live next to a really great one. It also protects the natural environment as well i.e. prevents local government from selling(out) green field sites to industry.

 

Here's the alternative solution.

 

http://www.twistedsun.net/files/page3_blog_entry256_2.jpg

[Dirkitech]

Two safe parks really. So Rietvlei Farms and Thaba Trails just don't exist or aren't they safe because they have signed on with tracker.

 

I ride there and I feel just as safe as I feel at Modderfontein and Avianto.

 

Rietvlei and Thaba TRY to be safe. I'd say they are roughly 90% reliable, because it has occured before when I cycled at Rietvlei relatively late (sun was near setting time) and I encountered 2 squatters walking ON the single track, a few hundred meters before the first bridge. I've also noticed broken palisades on the section shortly after the first bridge where you go out of the bush and climb diagonally towards the houses on the fence perimeter.

 

Otherwise, lovely place Rietvlei and Thaba. unfortunately, modderfontein and pwc are simply too far to afford the drive and entry on a student budget, so more parks would definitely be a great addition!

[DieVlieg]

I moved from Cape Town before the new cycle route they said they built. Has anyone made use of the route and how safe is it. Is it something widely used? If government makes small advances to provide services like this I hope the appreciation is being showed by people using it. If it is a none existing route or very badly managed route we must complain. Anyone who can give feedback on this cycle route.