Making the frontal roads along Ontdekkers cycle friendly

[GaryvdM]

This is an idea that has been brewing in my head for sometime now.

 

Along Ontdekkers road / Voortrekker road there are lots of frontal roads, roads that run next to the main road to give access to house/businesses.

 

From Keywest (top of hill snacks) to the N1 crossing (a distance of 19.4km) there are frontal roads for 44% on the west bound side, and 65% on the east bound side.

 

These frontal roads are much more pleasant to ride on as the motorized traffic is of much lower volume, and lower speed. However, currently these are difficult to access. They often have dead-ends, or access requires a long deviation. Crossing cross roads are also sometimes difficult or impossible.

 

So my idea is to build a few pathways that make accessing these frontal roads easy on a bicycle. They will typically be 3m - 5m in length, crossing from Ontdekkers proper to the frontal road, and wide enough for 2 bikes. Bollards may be necessary to prevent the taxies from using them.

 

Here is a map showing what I have in mind: Pathways that need to be build are in dark red (because this is the colour that they use in the Netherlands for cycle lanes.) https://mapsengine.g...YM.kA2dw8BNwO98

 

 

So what do you guys think of this idea?

 

Is it likely to improve safety for cyclists?

 

How would the government react to a citizen taking such matters into their own hands?

[GaryvdM]

[nonky]

Did anything come of this?

 

I'm looking for a safe route west, either along ontdekkers or h potgieter.

[Flemish Lion]

Did anything come of this?

 

I'm looking for a safe route west, either along ontdekkers or h potgieter.

 

Two of the most dangerous roads in our country to cycle on!

 

Is Robert Broom not better?

[nonky]

Two of the most dangerous roads in our country to cycle on!

 

Is Robert Broom not better?

 

Thanks, will look into that.  Are those roads really that bad - i see lots of cyclists on them (  are they worse than Beyers Naude, which i'm def not going to use)?

 

I'm trying to determine a safe (weekend) ride to the Cradle, if that's even possible.

[Flemish Lion]

Thanks, will look into that.  Are those roads really that bad - i see lots of cyclists on them (  are they worse than Beyers Naude, which i'm def not going to use)?

 

I'm trying to determine a safe (weekend) ride to the Cradle, if that's even possible.

 

I had weekdays in mind but Ontdekkers is dangerous any day / time.

 

HP out isn't bad on weekends but rather early than late.

 

I usually go up Beyers from Worldwear and cut across to Cedar road via Witkoppen and then back HP once I've done Cradle.

 

Beyers out early is do-able but not great. Back is scary on Beyers as there is no shoulder and lots of uphill.

[nonky]

I had weekdays in mind but Ontdekkers is dangerous any day / time.

 

HP out isn't bad on weekends but rather early than late.

 

I usually go up Beyers from Worldwear and cut across to Cedar road via Witkoppen and then back HP once I've done Cradle.

 

Beyers out early is do-able but not great. Back is scary on Beyers as there is no shoulder and lots of uphill.

 

Thanks for the advice,  The safe routes west are fairly limited, due to traffic and certain dodgy areas.

 

Perhaps, driving out and riding once in the cradle is a better idea, but i will take your advice into consideration.

 

I Was looking for a 100km+ loop from home but you can't always win them all.

 

Currently, my thinking is 

1. Beyers - Northumberland - Witkoppen - Cedar - Cradle - HP; or

2. HP - Riverstone Lodge (past Roodepoort athletics) - cradle - HP

 

Think i will give one of the above a try early on sunday morning.

 

thanks again

[GaryvdM]

Did anything come of this?

 

I'm looking for a safe route west, either along ontdekkers or h potgieter.

 

No    - Partly I'm a bit afraid of being in trouble with the authorities, partly to much on my plate, partly my laziness.

[GaryvdM]

Thanks for the advice,  The safe routes west are fairly limited, due to traffic and certain dodgy areas.

 

Perhaps, driving out and riding once in the cradle is a better idea, but i will take your advice into consideration.

 

I Was looking for a 100km+ loop from home but you can't always win them all.

 

Currently, my thinking is 

1. Beyers - Northumberland - Witkoppen - Cedar - Cradle - HP; or

2. HP - Riverstone Lodge (past Roodepoort athletics) - cradle - HP

 

Think i will give one of the above a try early on sunday morning.

 

thanks again

 

 

Generally when going out early on weekend mornings is not a problem. It's the coming back later on when people are doing there weekend shopping that is the issue.

[nonky]

Generally when going out early on weekend mornings is not a problem. It's the coming back later on when people are doing there weekend shopping that is the issue.

 

Noted, thanks.

 

I've tried scoping out routes in the car but, as we all know, it's a different story on the bike.

[BDF]

I live in Little Falls and often ride to the Cradle down HP. Sometimes over the N14 at Cradlestone and into the Cradle on the Forum Homini road or the Sterkfontain road. Sometimes Right onto N14 and into the Cradle past Waterstone/Avianto etc. Loop distances anywhere from 70km to 135km depending on wheich routes one takes.

 

One needs to be careful but I have never had an incident. Not a good idea to be aggressive with Motorist. Just polite and let them have right of way.

 

I often ride the MTB on the footpaths along HP to get to the Cradle MTB route.

[RocknRolla]

choosing between HP, Beyers and Ontdekkers, HP is the least of the evils.

 

Weekends are fine, as there is quite a bit of cycle traffic, early in the mornings most, but almost constantly during the day.

 

Beyers between Honeydew and the N14 offers 0 shoulder thus riding that section to me is pure suicide on a roadbike.

 

My route on the road is as BDF says, HP past cradlestone, straight over the N14 and then turn right towards the cradle after kings kloof.

 

A with all roads, obey the road rules, dont get cocky with the taxis, they travel in the yellow lane, and if you get hardegat with them, they will not hesitate to make sure you know who has the bigger vehicle.

 

Watch out for club bunches, some of them are almost as big a menace as the taxis.

[BDF]

choosing between HP, Beyers and Ontdekkers, HP is the least of the evils.

 

Weekends are fine, as there is quite a bit of cycle traffic, early in the mornings most, but almost constantly during the day.

 

Beyers between Honeydew and the N14 offers 0 shoulder thus riding that section to me is pure suicide on a roadbike.

 

My route on the road is as BDF says, HP past cradlestone, straight over the N14 and then turn right towards the cradle after kings kloof.

 

A with all roads, obey the road rules, dont get cocky with the taxis, they travel in the yellow lane, and if you get hardegat with them, they will not hesitate to make sure you know who has the bigger vehicle.

 

Watch out for club bunches, some of them are almost as big a menace as the taxis.

I would stay away from Ontdekkers these days. It's not like in "the good old days" where motorists and cyclists co-habited the road amicably. Last time I rode Ontdekkers it was not at all a friendly place. Also, loads of glass and no "yellow lane" to ride in 80% of the time.

[nonky]

Thank you for all the advice - much appreciated.

 

I'll be out there this weekend on the new road bike...looking lost.

 

Ride safely and have a kiff weekend. 

[RocknRolla]

Thank you for all the advice - much appreciated.

 

I'll be out there this weekend on the new road bike...looking lost.

 

Ride safely and have a kiff weekend. 

 

Please, forget about the #rules.

 

Wear baggies, a camelbak, ride with a peak, and greet and be friendly....

[travisza]

Thank you for all the advice - much appreciated.

 

I'll be out there this weekend on the new road bike...looking lost.

 

Ride safely and have a kiff weekend. 

I've been riding along 14th avenue, up to ontdekkers, and then along through Krugersdorp towards magaliesberg for the last couple weeks.

 

Had no issues. I come back through cradle and onto witkoppen/main road/ william nicol though. No idea what ontdekkers is like later when busier, but I'm nervous so have avoided coming back that way,