CPT Cycle Route Along DeWaal Drive

[Two-Stroke]

Working in CPT city centre & recently moved from Somerset West to Claremont.  Itching to be able to cycle to work but reluctant because of safety & traffic risks (bike is of the mountain type & doesn't like tar under it's rubber or those loud car type things).  Being new to the area, I understand the only decent route from southern suburbs into the city is via Salt River / Woodstock but that comes with regular reports of bikejacking safety risks & having to dodge taxi's and busses.  A colleague suggested I route via the mountain side but this again raises safety concerns i.e solo rider early mornings & late evenings.

 

Has there ever been some form of proposal to extend the cycle/walking lane along the M3 past UCT so that it continues on over hospital bend, possibly along De Waal drive, and then down into the city from there?  I haven't studied the available space for a route in detail, nor do I have a formal proposal for what I think it should look like... Just letting my imagination wander.  Added benefit to a route like this would be a decent climb or two & nice views/scenery.

 

Cape Town has so much potential for a biking lifestyle, but it's disheartening how efforts to accommodate this are thwarted by crime & traffic safety.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Diesel85 , a lot of us regularly commute to work via Claremont/Newlands up to Rhodes, over mountain and end up in Chelmsford, Deer Park, Tafelberg depending on time. All I can say, is most of the times we get there  +/- 6am there are quite a bit of activity on the mountain, some okes coming down already (runners and bikers). So it is reasonably safe, in fact the more that rides, the more safer it becomes.

 

Ive been commuting for 10 years lower salt river main rd, never had any issue with criminal elements but you have to ride with eyes at the back of your head.

[EddieV]

I commute daily from Claremont via Campground > Liesbeeck > Malta > Albert > NewMarket to CBD. At 5:45am and 3:45pm, staying on the cycle-paths as much as possible, and being careful on Albert and Newmarket. On rainy/winter days we are only a few commuting, but on sunny days I see quite a lot of fellow cyclists on our route 

 

I would also like to start commuting via the mountain soon, went and got myself an Activity permit last week Friday. 

Good to hear the mountain is also busy at 6am. 

[Pure Savage]

I do the same route when work allows as Eddie_V I see they have now added reflectors to cycle lane

[Two-Stroke]

Thanks Oufy & Eddie.  Do you guys commute alone or in groups?

 

Back to the question at hand though... Is it a valid suggestion for a cycle route up along the M3 and De Waal drive?  Why all the effort to push a route down through Saltriver/Albert Rd contending with traffic, cycle lane obstructions, crime risk (sketchy areas) when there's there's a better area higher up?

[Lone_Ranger]

Thanks Oufy & Eddie.  Do you guys commute alone or in groups?

 

Back to the question at hand though... Is it a valid suggestion for a cycle route up along the M3 and De Waal drive?  Why all the effort to push a route down through Saltriver/Albert Rd contending with traffic, cycle lane obstructions, crime risk (sketchy areas) when there's there's a better area higher up?

The M3 from Claremont onwards is a freeway, so cycling is technically not allowed there. High operating speed coupled with cycling is not a good combo. Only time u should see cyclists there is for the Argus.

[EddieV]

Thanks Oufy & Eddie.  Do you guys commute alone or in groups?

 

 

alone

[Pure Savage]

Thanks Oufy & Eddie.  Do you guys commute alone or in groups?

 

Back to the question at hand though... Is it a valid suggestion for a cycle route up along the M3 and De Waal drive?  Why all the effort to push a route down through Saltriver/Albert Rd contending with traffic, cycle lane obstructions, crime risk (sketchy areas) when there's there's a better area higher up?

 

The higher area, you contend with motorists doing 110km/h uploading an instagram selfie.

 

You seem nice, don't become a stat/splat.

[Two-Stroke]

Maybe I need to clarify... I'm suggesting a dedicated cycle lane/path along the top i.e. an extension of the existing path along the M3 which currently ends at UCT.  I'm surprised CoCT are investing in trying to cut a path through the already congested Saltriver/Woodstock while there must surely be better routes.  Don't get me wrong, the existing progress is super but given the choice...would you rather implement a cycle lane down below or higher up, off the highway and away from congestion?

[Pure Savage]

Maybe I need to clarify... I'm suggesting a dedicated cycle lane/path along the top i.e. an extension of the existing path along the M3 which currently ends at UCT.  I'm surprised CoCT are investing in trying to cut a path through the already congested Saltriver/Woodstock while there must surely be better routes.  Don't get me wrong, the existing progress is super but given the choice...would you rather implement a cycle lane down below or higher up, off the highway and away from congestion?

 

That would be nice, but the CoCT will now just point to the main road one. And that will be that. You will also find for commuters, the main road one is better for them as there a lot of business along there and there is no climbing.

[(Deon)]

Maybe I need to clarify... I'm suggesting a dedicated cycle lane/path along the top i.e. an extension of the existing path along the M3 which currently ends at UCT.  I'm surprised CoCT are investing in trying to cut a path through the already congested Saltriver/Woodstock while there must surely be better routes.  Don't get me wrong, the existing progress is super but given the choice...would you rather implement a cycle lane down below or higher up, off the highway and away from congestion?

There is a certain amount of questions around the viability of some of the approved routes, so you are not alone in your thinking. Agree the next best route is an extension from UCT and if it is not seemingly possible, then all the more reason to make it possible.

[Hackster]

If you come along Main rd towards town, after crossing the bridge over the freeway, turn left into Anzio street, a little higher up, at the circle, you can jump the pavement and access the pavement that runs next to the freeway on the city side of Hospital bend. Not sure whether it's ridable, nor where it ends up in relationship to the bridge to Dewaal drive. But have seen a strava map that showed a rider making his way along the pavement of De Waal drive for almost its whole length.

[Brawler]

Watching this topic.

 

Slight derail: Does anyone know a safe path from Rondebosch to Blouberg?

[Pure Savage]

Watching this topic.

 

Slight derail: Does anyone know a safe path from Rondebosch to Blouberg?

 

I have seen two, follow lane mentioned above and hop onto BRT at church.

 

I have also seen gone behind indabeni and over koeberg interchange to ysterplaat side then through Paaarden eiland and then BRT lane

[Two-Stroke]

Makes sense that Saltriver & WStock have more businesses, but it wouldn't surprise me if the CBD and Greenpoint/Seapoint areas have the highest density of potential commuter destinations.

 

Hackster - I've considered that route but it's messy and would put you on the wrong side of hosp bend unless you brave enough to play dodge with a few lanes of peak traffic.

 

Guess the commute will have to take a back seat for now.  Might join the TM MTB crowd for their weekly rides - they sound like a bunch of nutters though (ducks & runs for cover) 

[Singletrack Sarah]

 

Working in CPT city centre & recently moved from Somerset West to Claremont.  Itching to be able to cycle to work but reluctant because of safety & traffic risks (bike is of the mountain type & doesn't like tar under it's rubber or those loud car type things).  Being new to the area, I understand the only decent route from southern suburbs into the city is via Salt River / Woodstock but that comes with regular reports of bikejacking safety risks & having to dodge taxi's and busses.  A colleague suggested I route via the mountain side but this again raises safety concerns i.e solo rider early mornings & late evenings.

 

Has there ever been some form of proposal to extend the cycle/walking lane along the M3 past UCT so that it continues on over hospital bend, possibly along De Waal drive, and then down into the city from there?  I haven't studied the available space for a route in detail, nor do I have a formal proposal for what I think it should look like... Just letting my imagination wander.  Added benefit to a route like this would be a decent climb or two & nice views/scenery.

 

Cape Town has so much potential for a biking lifestyle, but it's disheartening how efforts to accommodate this are thwarted by crime & traffic safety.

 

 

This would be a brilliant route! Where does one start with such a proposal?