Calling all keyboard warriors - Comment on Cycling and "active transport" in Cape Town

[Mamil]

HEre's a chance to shout into the void ....

 

https://www.flui.city/capetown/posts/71340-comment-on-the-city-s-draft-walking-and-cycling-strategy

 

Cape Town's rapid growth demands a strategic focus on sustainability, equity, and resilience in urban planning. Historically, the city's transportation system has prioritised private vehicles, resulting in severe congestion, pollution, and increased traffic fatalities. This car-centric approach is not sustainable for future growth, and cities worldwide are finding that the continuous expansion of road infrastructure only worsens these issues.

To address these challenges, the city must adopt a bold shift towards active mobility, particularly walking and cycling. These modes not only reduce congestion and environmental impact but also play a critical role in supporting public transport systems.

Cape Town's existing infrastructure is not designed to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, often creating dangerous and hostile environments for these vulnerable road users.

This strategy outlines Cape Town's commitment to reversing the traditional reliance on private vehicles by creating a more inclusive, people-focused transport system.

It aims to reposition walking and cycling as primary, safe, and sustainable modes of transport, promoting equity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Through strategic planning, the City can address the current gaps in infrastructure, integrate active mobility into urban design, and enhance collaboration across government bodies to achieve long-term, sustainable transport solutions.

The strategy supports and aligns with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP), Climate Change Strategy and the Universal Access Policy.

Once approved, the strategy will update and replace:

The Cycling Strategy (2017); and
The draft Non-motorised Transport (NMT) Strategy (2017)
In terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, you can submit comments to the municipality in respect of the draft strategy.

You can also access the information at:

City libraries
Subcouncil offices
In the document download section below
Contact us
For more information and general enquiries about the draft strategy, contact:

Dirk du Preez

Telephone:
021 444 3805

Email:
urbanmobility.CT@capetown.gov.za

 

 

https://www.flui.city/capetown/posts/71340-comment-on-the-city-s-draft-walking-and-cycling-strategy

Edited November 14 by Mamil

[MORNE]

[Zebra]

“…It aims to reposition walking and cycling as primary, safe, and sustainable modes of transport, promoting equity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Through strategic planning, the City can address the current gaps in infrastructure, integrate active mobility into urban design, and enhance collaboration across government bodies to achieve long-term, sustainable transport solutions….”

Whew, such higher-grade waffle…

Am ALL for it, but…..before you do ONE THING, show us you can fix the EXISTING Milnerton/Paarden Eiland/Woodstock link, BEFORE you ‘redesign the urban enviroment, blahh blah…..do ONE thing, PROPERLY, T-H-E-N we can ‘talk’ - you spent millions ona brilliant idea/cycling link, then effectively abandoned it to muggers and other gangsters.

No Unicorns, please; FIRST fix the Donkey…

Chris

Edited November 14 by Zebra
Spelling

[Mamil]

15 minutes ago, Zebra said:

“…It aims to reposition walking and cycling as primary, safe, and sustainable modes of transport, promoting equity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Through strategic planning, the City can address the current gaps in infrastructure, integrate active mobility into urban design, and enhance collaboration across government bodies to achieve long-term, sustainable transport solutions….”

Whew, such higher-grade waffle…

Am ALL for it, but…..before you do ONE THING, show us you can fix the EXISTING Milnerton/Paarden Eiland/Woodstock link, BEFORE you ‘redesign the urban enviroment, blahh blah…..do ONE thing, PROPERLY, T-H-E-N we can ‘talk’ - you spent millions ona brilliant idea/cycling link, then effectively abandoned it to muggers and other gangsters.

No Unicorns, please; FIRST fix the Donkey…

Chris

Exactly what I wrote in my feedback to them. I also invited the head honcho to come on 2 rides with me ... Durbanville to observatory. And Claremont to camps bay. 

Honestly it looks like someone with a master's degree in post modern town planning wrote that. 

Very important that as many of us as possible tell these officials exactly what it's like on a bike or on foot in this town.

[Robbie Stewart]

39 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Honestly it looks like someone with a master's degree in post modern town planning wrote that. 

It actually reads more like Chat-GPT wrote it. CoCT must cycle from town to Melkbos using the cyclepath and then back again without a SAPS escort. Then as Zebra hopes, maybe they will fix that up. But honestly, for how long before it returns to its old manner of disfunction.

[ChrisF]

51 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Exactly what I wrote in my feedback to them. I also invited the head honcho to come on 2 rides with me ... Durbanville to observatory. And Claremont to camps bay. 

Honestly it looks like someone with a master's degree in post modern town planning wrote that. 

Very important that as many of us as possible tell these officials exactly what it's like on a bike or on foot in this town.

 

Distance wise I would love to cycle from Bellville to Cape Town, then out to Chappies.

 

Simply not safe ....

 

 

Our politians loves to don their lycra when they want votes ... for the rest they dont give a ....

[PappaWatTrap]

Ah that would be the dream if one could cycle from Durbanville all the way to city center and be safe.
 

A few years ago I cycled from Table view to waterfront as a student for about two months. All along the my city route. Looking back, it was definitely ignorance and youthful immortality thinking, but wow what a dream it was. 
 

There is just a different enjoyment to cycling too and from work, your brain just switches off. Most days I would arrive home not remembering what happened along the road. 

I would go as far as to say I would pay money to do that again if it means it would be safe. 

[Mamil]

56 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

It actually reads more like Chat-GPT wrote it. CoCT must cycle from town to Melkbos using the cyclepath and then back again without a SAPS escort. Then as Zebra hopes, maybe they will fix that up. But honestly, for how long before it returns to its old manner of disfunction.

It does have a chatgpt tone to it you're right. I'd love the committee that wrote this document to come on a ride. It would be so instructive for them 

[DJR]

I agree with all the above.

CoCT must first fix our donkey! If they can get it to look and work like a mule, I'll be very happy. Then, maybe, they can try getting us a couple of horses. Just ordinary cart horses will do fine, no need for race horses. I'm not at all interested in unicorns, I've heard too much about them and never saw one that was the real thing, always just a hallucination.

[Wannabe]

Done.

 

[Bike Dewing]

21 hours ago, Mamil said:

Exactly what I wrote in my feedback to them. I also invited the head honcho to come on 2 rides with me ... Durbanville to observatory. And Claremont to camps bay. 

Honestly it looks like someone with a master's degree in post modern town planning wrote that. 

Very important that as many of us as possible tell these officials exactly what it's like on a bike or on foot in this town.

I mean, i didnt cycle when i lived in cape town but i cant imagine cycling durbanville to observatory would be even slightly safe.? the areas that would take you through i wouldn't drive..

[Wannabe]

1 hour ago, Bike Dewing said:

I mean, i didnt cycle when i lived in cape town but i cant imagine cycling durbanville to observatory would be even slightly safe.? the areas that would take you through i wouldn't drive..

It used to be not even that long ago. Now, I am with you in even dreading it in a car.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Bike Dewing said:

I mean, i didnt cycle when i lived in cape town but i cant imagine cycling durbanville to observatory would be even slightly safe.? the areas that would take you through i wouldn't drive..

 

1997 I commuted Bellville to Wingfield, along the Voortrekker road.  And it was safe.

 

Now I lock my car doors when I have to navigate Voortrekker Road

[Bike Dewing]

27 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

It used to be not even that long ago. Now, I am with you in even dreading it in a car.

Even the destination, observatory..? I lived there for a year.. two cars stolen outside, copper pipes stolen off back walls, mate was mugged.. wed skate, like around the hockey field and be threatened by gangsters(numbers).. that was in one year.!

no thanks..

[Bike Dewing]

7 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

1997 I commuted Bellville to Wingfield, along the Voortrekker road.  And it was safe.

 

Now I lock my car doors when I have to navigate Voortrekker Road

In fairness i am a southern suburb's boy.. and you know us, dont cross that belt often hey.?🤷🏼‍♂️🤣🤣

but a lot of it legitimately makes me nervous.. 😰

[ChrisF]

5 minutes ago, Bike Dewing said:

In fairness i am a southern suburb's boy.. and you know us, dont cross that belt often hey.?🤷🏼‍♂️🤣🤣

but a lot of it legitimately makes me nervous.. 😰

 

Thanks to Google Maps I can now find my way home when I accidentally cross the curtain ....

 

 

MAN, you have some VIEWS on your side ..... especially when the sun sets ....

 

 

EDIT - when you do trip through the curtain, bring the bike with .... Helshoogte, Bainskloof, Franschhoek .... some worthwhile gems on this side as well.

Edited November 15 by ChrisF