Tableview to Woodstock

[Evanza]

Hi guys. Is there anyone cycling from Tableview to Woodstock/Town. I’m wanting to commute but not sure how safe it is after the increase in muggings under the Woodstock bridge.

[Zebra]

I would safe it is definitely unsafe on the portion of cycle lane that runs next to MyCity, mostly along the Woodstock railway area/bridge area - MANY bike-jackings, etc.

It SEEMS that people instead use the 'Sea-side' of Marine Drive GRASS VERGE to get from Paarden Eiland (pretty safe) to the City bowl... (you will see the walking/cycling GROOVED track on the sea side of Marine Drive - they cross at the 'back' Harbour entrance, onto the grass verge...)

Others will give you more info - but exercise EXTREME caution - any time of day - cycling past Woodstock/the informal settlement.

Cheers

Chris

[Spinnaroonie]

1 hour ago, Zebra said:

I would safe it is definitely unsafe on the portion of cycle lane that runs next to MyCity, mostly along the Woodstock railway area/bridge area - MANY bike-jackings, etc.

It SEEMS that people instead use the 'Sea-side' of Marine Drive GRASS VERGE to get from Paarden Eiland (pretty safe) to the City bowl... (you will see the walking/cycling GROOVED track on the sea side of Marine Drive - they cross at the 'back' Harbour entrance, onto the grass verge...)

Others will give you more info - but exercise EXTREME caution - any time of day - cycling past Woodstock/the informal settlement.

Cheers

Chris

Spot on. I follow someone on Strava who's been commuting throughout this rough spell and he takes the route explained. I see a few others daily as well. 

Unfortunately just 3 weeks ago, a colleague witnessed an attack on the inbound side at the settlement. It was a pedestrian?? walking along the highway when 2 knife-wielding guys robbed him and took off. Ironically, a cyclist was basically right behind the ordeal but it just goes to show it's pure opportunistic attacks. 

[Mamil]

I don't commute that direction but have been avoiding marine drive as a workaround route for some time now - interested to hear other's experience of it - if I'm riding out that way I take my chances at the koeberg interchange and take the long way around.

Gotta chuckle at the city sending me an endless stream of invitations to comment on their traffic management plan etc etc all the while for years now the solution is right under their noses.

 

[Evanza]

4 minutes ago, Mamil said:

I don't commute that direction but have been avoiding marine drive as a workaround route for some time now - interested to hear other's experience of it - if I'm riding out that way I take my chances at the koeberg interchange and take the long way around.

Gotta chuckle at the city sending me an endless stream of invitations to comment on their traffic management plan etc etc all the while for years now the solution is right under their noses.

 

So this is my second option but that interchange seems rough. It’s unfortunate that nothing is being done about the safety of cyclists/commuters on this route.

[Mamil]

2 minutes ago, Evanza said:

So this is my second option but that interchange seems rough. It’s unfortunate that nothing is being done about the safety of cyclists/commuters on this route.

IT is rough for sure - pavement riding when you on the interchange and once on my way back from an ultra training ride on a Sunday evening just at dusk a guy made a move - I was lucky cos I spotted his intent early and my bunny hop off the pavement was possible because there were no cars and my light fortuitously dazzled him and I got away.

That having been said I think it might be safer than the alternatives but sill interested in what those who commute it regularly say.

[Spinnaroonie]

I used to cycle commute very regularly from blouberg into town but dont feel it's worth it currently. 

I've tried the Koeberg interchange > AWS > Old Biscuit Mill > Castle route but that also feels like too much of a gauntlet. Although if I had to, I would take this route any day over the N1 but I'm not on an MTB or GB. 
 

 

[Evanza]

40 minutes ago, Spinnaroonie said:

I used to cycle commute very regularly from blouberg into town but dont feel it's worth it currently. 

I've tried the Koeberg interchange > AWS > Old Biscuit Mill > Castle route but that also feels like too much of a gauntlet. Although if I had to, I would take this route any day over the N1 but I'm not on an MTB or GB. 
 

 

Yeah I’m also not on a MTB or GB so I don’t think I will bother trying to commute to work.

[Bankie99]

I commute to the waterfront along Marine Drive 2/3 times per week on my road or gravel bike and I just use the backed up morning traffic as my shield when I get to the WOMAG section and the same in the afternoon when I approach the Woodstock bridge area. 

It seems fairly safe during peak traffic times and I haven't had any mugging attempts there yet.

[Evanza]

15 minutes ago, Bankie99 said:

I commute to the waterfront along Marine Drive 2/3 times per week on my road or gravel bike and I just use the backed up morning traffic as my shield when I get to the WOMAG section and the same in the afternoon when I approach the Woodstock bridge area. 

It seems fairly safe during peak traffic times and I haven't had any mugging attempts there yet.

I have seen a fair amount of guys cycling into town and home, that’s why I asked how safe it is. 

[Spinnaroonie]

1 hour ago, Bankie99 said:

I commute to the waterfront along Marine Drive 2/3 times per week on my road or gravel bike and I just use the backed up morning traffic as my shield when I get to the WOMAG section and the same in the afternoon when I approach the Woodstock bridge area. 

It seems fairly safe during peak traffic times and I haven't had any mugging attempts there yet.

You wouldn't happen to be the guy on the Giant Revolt? 

[Bankie99]

Just now, Spinnaroonie said:

You wouldn't happen to be the guy on the Giant Revolt? 

Nope blue BMC gravel bike

[Spinnaroonie]

Just now, Bankie99 said:

Nope blue BMC gravel bike

oh yaaaa with the yellow BMC lettering. You give me FOMO every time. Stylin'

[pietas]

I am also one of people that used to commute into town. But due to safety concerns (mugging) I gave it up. I can deal with the cars, taxis and busses but not somebody with a gun.

I do miss it and it is a great way to stay fit.

Best advise I have is to wait somewhere safe along the route and join those that also cycle. There is hopefully more safety in numbers.

 

Edited November 13 by pietas

[Francis108]

@Evanza I cycle the route atleast once a week into town, police are always patrolling between 5:30 am to 7:00 am and in the afternoon.