PPA warns cyclists not to use Paarden Island cycle lane after latest attack

[RustyHWR]

Harbour is not safe at AM and PM. That is when the container trucks pre-draw and off load. You will not be allowed in at the booms of harbour entrance without a permit. If you use the N1 you will have to go over the Paarden Island bridge that is very narrow and dangerous.

[Hairy]

Harbour is not safe at AM and PM. That is when the container trucks pre-draw and off load. You will not be allowed in at the booms of harbour entrance without a permit. If you use the N1 you will have to go over the Paarden Island bridge that is very narrow and dangerous.

seems like there is a no win situation here

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-fsdwIoMZi8/TUOP5Jwl65I/AAAAAAAAAts/APnUJveForw/s1600/screwed.jpg

[JJACK]

seems like there is a no win situation here

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-fsdwIoMZi8/TUOP5Jwl65I/AAAAAAAAAts/APnUJveForw/s1600/screwed.jpg

 

 

We need these guys!!

 

https://youtu.be/O_yAhne7jFo

[Stoffies1]

Doesnt everyone just ride the marine drive then N1? No point going through dodgeville.

I do every day...Marine drive then on the N1 for no less than 1km turn left past the old breweries and into town.

[Stoffies1]

If the city of cape town closes down the route they had better provide and alternative!

 

We commute daily, come rain or shine and I for one am reliant on that route to get to work and back. I can fall back on the MyCity bus, but then I loose so much more time in the day and then also have to spend R600.00 additionally a month to get to work and back ... something not really budgeted for or a need to spend money on.

 

We formed a What'sApp group back in 2012 to co-ordinate a few regular riders to meet and ride through that particular stretch which at that stage was already highlighted as a high crime zone. The group is at 40 members now, with the vast majority of riders joining via word of mouth or from meeting us on the cycle lane.

 

In the group we have a good few riders who have had attempted muggings....they got lucky.

 

Personally I have met many other riders who have been mugged on the route, personally assisted a Canadian tourist who was mugged and bleeding. The last time the City really did any thing was when a councilor (can't recall who it was) got mugged on that specific stretch, with his body guard in tow (Now I know what you are thinking, why can't we all have body guards with us on our bikes). I crossed through the broken fence where he noted the muggers had gone with his bag and his passport that he needed back urgently as he was flying out the country in a day or two, found a big bush across the railway line that had numerous bags that have been turned out lying about.....so this was clearly a gathering point.

 

Outside of this, within the group there have been many appeals to the local authorities RE safety on this section, us reporting broken fences that remained broken for months and allowing access from the N1 across to the rail way lines. There have been some letters of intention, but no real action.

 

So how can we resolve this. Bear in mind we can't have Metro sitting on this stretch 24/7, there are also other areas in the CT region that are in dire need of safety and security. 

 

The whole stretch from the N1 bridge till into town has seen a big increase in vagrants living there, with shelters that have been in place for some time now.

 

The railway also needs to take responsibility for securing the access from the rail way line and into the cycle lane from trespassers.

 

Does the local cycling community club together to fund a private security company to patrol this section from early morning to late evening?

 

IF this route is close, I agree the city at least allows free access for cyclists through the harbour until they can resolve the safety issue on this particular section of the lanes.

 

What was not mentioned in the article above, was that the security confirmed with the rider who was mugged, that in that week another person was also mugged.

 

With respect to the stabbing on the cycle lane. That was on a Tues/Wed if I recall correctly. That weekend leading to the stabbing, a senior manager from the City of Cape Town was mugged at knife point on that same section where all the muggings have been taking place.

Is the whatsapp group still active? I have gravel grinder and I'm keen to do some riding before work road or dirt.

 

I was mugged on the cycle route just over a year ago. Avoid the area at all costs. I ride marine drive then N1 for a short distance left past the old breweries & then cycle into town.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Stoffies1

[devocean]

I do every day...Marine drive then on the N1 for no less than 1km turn left past the old breweries and into town.

 

Same here, I find traffic is backed up and moving slowly along marine drive and N1 until like 9am. Same thing with going home before 6pm. Worst case scenario, you ride on that little single track next to that N1 section with no shoulder (it's fine on a road bike) until to you get onto marine drive.

[Hairy]

Is the whatsapp group still active? I have gravel grinder and I'm keen to do some riding before work road or dirt.

 

I was mugged on the cycle route just over a year ago. Avoid the area at all costs. I ride marine drive then N1 for a short distance left past the old breweries & then cycle into town.

It is yes.

 

Group leaves the Vet opposite Bayside 6:45am and leaves town from the Rail way lodge (at the start of the cycle lane in town) at 5:15pm.

 

Drop me a PM and we can chat RE cell no's etc.

[Tubehunter]

I rode on the N1 for 8 years before the lanes were even an option. If I have to ride out that way and I'm not specifically meeting someone on the path before the hotspot, I still prefer riding the N1. It 'feels' safer. 

 

I still cannot phathom why the cycle path goes through this section! Whoever the planner was who did this clearly did not get any feedback from the user group who he designed this for! There is nothing they can do given the way the setup is under the N1 to increase traffic flow and eyes on the area to increase safety. With the new squatters moving in, it'll only degenerate more and faster!

 

If you're heading towards town from Tableview, the cycle path should carry on straight past Steven Johnson cars on that verge all the way past the harbour against the fence into the bottom of town. Problem solved. 

Edited December 1, 2016 by Tubehunter

[Chavo]

Let me get this straight...CToC invests millions in building a cycle path to offer a "safe" alternative mode of transport into the City and its surrounds. The cycle path then becomes a hotspot for muggings (in one area) and a crack down has never truly worked since nothing has changed over many years. The solution to all this is to close the path and call it unsafe?!

 

I appreciate resources are stretched but applying this logic elsewhere would suggest that Metrorail's solution to the vandalism and muggings on trains is to close the service as it is "unsafe". I realise this is an extreme example but perhaps you get my drift as this really is logistically not possible. 

 

Why suggest removing a legitimate form of transport for those, who perhaps form a minority, because crime cannot be controlled? If recommending that the path be avoided then provide an alternative at the same time, don't just "close" it and say 'pffft, good luck in finding a way into town by bicycle now'. This whole thing makes me bleak. Alternatives besides the cycle path are few and far between for me and while I try meet up with other groups (such as Hairy's), I don't often manage to sync with them so I end up solo. 

 

I wish the only challenge on the cycle path was the south easter. This is lame and frustrating 

[Johan A Marais]

Poor show from the city, PPA and everyone involved in this development, the maintenance there-off and safety of citizens using the facility.  Let your head hang in shame. 

 

This city works for who...? 

 

[Sheffield]

Extremely unfortunate to hear how problems on this route have escalated to the point they are now. I however no longer commute or use the route but do ride it every now and then on the weekend which I assume is worse as it's really quiet then. Will be following this closely to see what the city's reaction to this is.

[Hairy]

Let me get this straight...CToC invests millions in building a cycle path to offer a "safe" alternative mode of transport into the City and its surrounds. The cycle path then becomes a hotspot for muggings (in one area) and a crack down has never truly worked since nothing has changed over many years. The solution to all this is to close the path and call it unsafe?!

 

I appreciate resources are stretched but applying this logic elsewhere would suggest that Metrorail's solution to the vandalism and muggings on trains is to close the service as it is "unsafe". I realise this is an extreme example but perhaps you get my drift as this really is logistically not possible. 

 

Why suggest removing a legitimate form of transport for those, who perhaps form a minority, because crime cannot be controlled? If recommending that the path be avoided then provide an alternative at the same time, don't just "close" it and say 'pffft, good luck in finding a way into town by bicycle now'. This whole thing makes me bleak. Alternatives besides the cycle path are few and far between for me and while I try meet up with other groups (such as Hairy's), I don't often manage to sync with them so I end up solo. 

 

I wish the only challenge on the cycle path was the south easter. This is lame and frustrating 

ppffftttt....the south easter is a breeze........

[Hairy]

Poor show from the city, PPA and everyone involved in this development, the maintenance there-off and safety of citizens using the facility.  Let your head hang in shame. 

 

This city works for who...? 

 

the city does actually work for us.

 

I issued various notifications RE broken roads, etc and they have actively responded / repaired in short  time with good feedback.

 

Just seems that on this one / two km stretch of cycle lane they can not provide a safe zone.

[Tubehunter]

the city does actually work for us.

 

I issued various notifications RE broken roads, etc and they have actively responded / repaired in short  time with good feedback.

 

Just seems that on this one / two km stretch of cycle lane they can not provide a safe zone.

 

Economies of scale make it so that they will never be able to attempt securing this spot. The only people using it are cyclists and pedestrians on the path. The volumes will never make it so that it has a full time presence. That's just not viable. Hence me saying earlier, it's really a planning fault as it was an easy option to use this, but very little thought went into the surrounding area and services and what it would attract!

Edited November 30, 2016 by Tubehunter

[Chavo]

ppffftttt....the south easter is a breeze........

I see what you did there 

[Chavo]

Sometimes wish I was completely ignorant of all this and I could just be amped that there is a dedicated path to commute by bicycle on, away from all the mad traffic. Wouldn't that be nice...