Durban Cycle Safe Forum launched

[xdoomx]

"This after the death of two cyclists, 46-year-old Richard da Silva and 36-year-old Jaryd Dwyer who were hit by an alleged drunk-driver on Sunday morning.  

 

The interim forum launched yesterday, hopes to address and resolve challenges facing cyclists in and around Durban.  Authorities have appealed to recreational cyclists to abide by road rules and municipal by-laws and for drivers to be responsible on the roads.  

 

Durban Metro Police's Sibonelo Mchunu says the general rule is that cyclists are treated as people who are walking on foot.

 

"Bicycles and some motorcycles are types of those vehicles which are treated as vehicles that are not allowed in freeway. Cyclists and their organisations and everybody who cycles will know where to cycle and where not to cycle," he said."

 

AND

 

The EThekwini Cycle Safe Forum was launched today, Wednesday, 10 February 2016, at Blue Lagoon where concerned stakeholders came together to develop a safety plan for cyclists.

 

 

This follows the uproar by the community after a 32-year-old Phoenix man, Omesh Ramanrain appeared briefly before a Durban magistrate on Monday in connection with the deaths of two cyclists on the M4 Ruth First Highway at 5.10am on Sunday. Ramnarain faces allegations of culpable homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving.

 

Ramnarain’s VW Golf GTi slammed into Richard da Silva, 46, of Glen Anil, and Jaryd Dwyer, 36, of Glenwood, from behind. They were declared dead at the scene. The alleged driver was arrested, but two of his three passengers were said to have fled the scene of the crash.

 

The interim Cycle Safe Forum forum was jointly established by eThekwini Municipality and a number of Durban cycling clubs concerned about the safety of cyclists in the City. The forum hopes to address the current challenges facing cyclists in and around Durban and find solutions to effectively deal with these issues.

 

Some of the challenges raised by cyclists included the lack of awareness of motorists to be aware of cyclists on the road and to keep a safe distance and drunk drivers who endangered the lives of all road users including cyclists.

 

Head of International and Governance Relations for eThekwini Eric Apelgren said the forum will be made up of relevant stakeholders including organised cycle clubs from Durban and government stakeholders including the Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Inspectorate, to help make decisions and carry them forward.

 

The eThekwini Cycle Safe Forum also appealed to recreational cyclists to abide by the rules of the road and Municipal bylaws to ensure that safety is achieved for all.

 

sources:
https://www.ecr.co.za/news-sport/news/ethekwini-cycle-safe-forum-looks-safety-plans-cyclists/

http://ilovedurban.co.za/cycle-forum-launched/

 

 

[xdoomx]

Definitely a step in the right direction after seeing similar forums happen years ago in other cities (Cape Town, cough!).

 

However, it would be a good idea to extend it to include commuters and 'recreational bicyclists'. I'm a bit wary of it being driven solely by cycling clubs and competitive cyclists who have somewhat different safety needs and riding habits to a commuting (read, no spandex) bicyclist.

[Tumbleweed]

Good work! 

 

And I agree totally with your last point.

[Sepia]

What about a set of rules/requirements so everybody is in the know as to what lights, what roads, etc, etc.   I would love to see this happen for longer than six months.

I agree with everything said so far.....move in the right direction and cannot do any harm?

[xdoomx]

I'm told the next meeting will take place at the
Durban Surf Life Savers Club (opp Wimpy North Beach) at 12pm on Wed 24 February

Not sure how 'open' it is but I'll be pitching up for sure.

[Friedpiggy]

Will be there as well. Want to challenge the municipality to go for a ride on a road bike along some of our alleged cycling lanes. Think it might be fun to get the mayors expression on a 7 bar 23c tyre going along Fairway. maybe that might make them understand that just painting a yellow line on an unsuitable road does not mean that they have catered to the cyclists needs.

[ricochet_rabbit]

I'm told the next meeting will take place at the

Green Hub, Blue Lagoon at 12pm on Wed 24 February

Not sure how 'open' it is but I'll be pitching up for sure.

 

received this. guessing the date is wrong as March 24th is a Thursday and probably just too far in the future.

 

No idea which venue is correct - Green Hub or Durban Surf.

[xdoomx]

Details are confirmed as
 

Durban Surf Life Savers Club (opp Wimpy North Beach)
at 12pm on Wed 24 February

[ricochet_rabbit]

was anyone able to attend ? any feedback ?