New Constantia-Tokai Cycle Paths

[i24]

There are some road works around Constantia and Tokai. The signage, as per the photo below, says they are building "non-motorized transport facilities". They are currently busy in Firgrove and Kendal Rd with the promise of more to follow. From what I have seen so far, these are more like "wheel chair friendly pavements" than dedicated cycle paths. Hopefully useful for commuters but not so attractive to the roadies doing group training rides. Definitely a means of getting to and from green belt and Tokai trails on a mountain bike.

 

Has anybody got inside knowledge about this project? What is it going to look like when finished. Maybe a nice cycle path down the length of Spaanschemat River Rd?

 

 

 

[Shebeen]

What's a dedicated cycle path for roadies? Do you think the lotto nl jumbo team train on Dutch cycle paths?

 

These are way overdue, just hope they extend to the "harder" but required sections and not just the ones with a massive road shoulder. Spaanschemat south of the stone church for one

[(Deon)]

Built mainly for safety and to encourage more non motorised commuters. Brick paved it would seem, think promenade so rollerblade friendly too..

 

The Tokai/Swaanswyk strip is an interesting section with a very wide track on the left and a narrow one on the right - both connect to the TMNP laterite track into Tokai.

[porqui]

Yah!!    "- both connect to the TMNP laterite track into Tokai." - where they are waiting for you to ckeck if you are a card- carrying member.

[Wannabe]

What's a dedicated cycle path for roadies? Do you think the lotto nl jumbo team train on Dutch cycle paths?

 

These are way overdue, just hope they extend to the "harder" but required sections and not just the ones with a massive road shoulder. Spaanschemat south of the stone church for one

 

 

But once these are finalised / completed, all cyclist will, by law, be required to use them. Suited for that purpose, or not. You cannot decide, just because you are a roadie race snake, you are not going to use them.

[Shebeen]

But once these are finalised / completed, all cyclist will, by law, be required to use them. Suited for that purpose, or not. You cannot decide, just because you are a roadie race snake, you are not going to use them.

Then you use them, how's that working out in milnerton?

 

The I'm training cyclists who don't need to stop at red lights will not let 'the law' interrupt their session.

[Wannabe]

Then you use them, how's that working out in milnerton?

 

The I'm training cyclists who don't need to stop at red lights will not let 'the law' interrupt their session.

 

 

Quite well, actually.

Had a lekker cruise from Blouberg to Waterfront on Saturday, our group took up both sides of the path, had a lekker "chat and catch up with the week's happening" session.

Just could not understand why people kept on shouting at us to get out of the way. What was their rush in any way?

[Pure Savage]

I hope all the law abiding cylists use the cycle path along the Koeberg road  

[bikebloke]

all the building on firgrove seems kind of pointless expense as almost no one commutes on that road and it had a perfectly good dirt shoulder anyway but a sidewalk on Spaanschemat River Rd with or without a cycle option would be a really good safety plan for pedestrians ,cylists and motorists.

[porqui]

Then you use them, how's that working out in milnerton?

 

The I'm training cyclists who don't need to stop at red lights will not let 'the law' interrupt their session.

 

By law you have to use the cycle path when there is one.!!

 

Most cycle paths/tracks in Cape Town are death traps if you are out training - they are ok for commuting and even then they are not user friendly with bollards at intersections and signposts separating the lanes(who designed these paths)

 

Where they would be great and space for them like the last few 100m up Constantia Nek there is nadda. Some shoulders next to the roads would be very usable for mtb if the dongas were filled and ridges leveled - just a bit of thought and work (Rhodes Drive to Const. Nek)

 

The best one is the stretch along Somerset Rd from traffic dept. to town - by LAW you have to be on the pavement as it is a designated cycle route.

 

Pls note I said "out training"

[bikebloke]

I think "by law" im required to have a bell on my bike (even when im not training) but as ive never been pulled over on my bike by a cop in thirty years of riding ill just treat "the cycle path must be used" rule the same as the bell rule  

 

id also like to know who designs these bike paths  

[porqui]

I think "by law" im required to have a bell on my bike (even when im not training) but as ive never been pulled over on my bike by a cop in thirty years of riding ill just treat "the cycle path must be used" rule the same as the bell rule  

 

id also like to know who designs these bike paths  

 

I have a bell in the post. 

 

Mainly for Costantia Greenbelt - bell seems to work well and walkers don't get agro with a gentle "ding-ding" and you can hear them from miles.

[Tim Brink]

By law you have to use the cycle path when there is one.!!

 

 

Not entirely true: 

 

Reg 311. 

 

(1)        No person shall ride a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such pedal cycle.

 

(2)        Persons riding pedal cycles on a public road shall ride in single file except in the course of overtaking another pedal cycle, and two or more persons riding pedal cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time.

 

(3)        No person riding or seated on a pedal cycle on a public road shall take hold of any other vehicle in motion.

 

(4)        No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall deliberately cause such pedal cycle to swerve from side to side.

 

(5)        No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall carry thereon any person, animal or object which obstructs his or her view or which prevents him or her from exercising complete control over the movements of such pedal cycle.

 

(6)        A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall do so with at least one hand on the handle bars of such pedal cycle.

 

(7)        Whenever a portion of a public road has been set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, no person shall ride a pedal cycle on any other portion of such road.

 

(8)        A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road or a portion of a public road set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, shall do so in such manner that all the wheels Special provisions relating to freeways

[rock]

generally I think any bike path should be welcomed.

[bikebloke]

this is Africa the rules are more like rough guide lines and need to be flexible  

 

(5)        No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall carry thereon any person, animal or object which obstructs his or her view or which prevents him or her from exercising complete control over the movements of such pedal cycle.

[porqui]

generally I think any bike path should be welcomed.

 

One would think so but sadly some cycle paths are just darnn outright dangerous to cyclists and other users.

 

Too many to really mention but for instance Woodstock and Diep Rivier.

 

Tim Brink - exactly !!     (7)        Whenever a portion of a public road has been set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, no person shall ride a pedal cycle on any other portion of such road.

 

If there is a cycle path you shall use no portion of the road but the cycle portion. (Put in other words you shall only use what has been set aside for cycling)

 

My gripe though is that there are many areas that could be a lot safer for cycling with minimum cost but they don't get done and a lot of money is being blown on areas where it has minimal impact on cycling safety.