Melkbos to CBD

[Jana Van Der Merwe]

Hi! I would like to know whether anyone can recommend a safer route, or even a group that rides from Melkbos/Blouberg/Tableview to CBD.

The bike path along the MyCiti bus lane between Paarden Eiland and the CBD is known to be avoided, but the short stretch on the highway to Woodstock seems just as risky.

Is it possible to ride through the harbour or can anyone recommend an alternative route? It would be nice to cycle from home instead of taking the bikes to the CBD and cycling from there if we want to ride Chappies and so on.

Thanks in advance! 

[Jbr]

Unfortunately last time we checked they didn’t let us through in the harbour, I personally risk it on the N1 but only as a last resort (meaning when I have 10 or 20 mins intervals) otherwise I just ride this side or head towards durbanville

[milky4130]

3 hours ago, Jana Van Der Merwe said:

Hi! I would like to know whether anyone can recommend a safer route, or even a group that rides from Melkbos/Blouberg/Tableview to CBD.

The bike path along the MyCiti bus lane between Paarden Eiland and the CBD is known to be avoided, but the short stretch on the highway to Woodstock seems just as risky.

Is it possible to ride through the harbour or can anyone recommend an alternative route? It would be nice to cycle from home instead of taking the bikes to the CBD and cycling from there if we want to ride Chappies and so on.

Thanks in advance! 

Bike Lane Until the entrance to the Flea Market, cross the road into Paarden Eiland but don’t take the bike lane, take an immediate right into the Marine service road which runs parallel to the Marine Drive until you get to Section Street where you hook a left until you get to Koeberg Road. Turn right towards the M5-Koeberg Interchange. Here you have 2 options stay on the road or hop on to the side walk and share with the pedestrians until you get to Berkeley Road which will take you into Town via Salt River & Woodstock.

[Mamil]

16 minutes ago, milky4130 said:

Bike Lane Until the entrance to the Flea Market, cross the road into Paarden Eiland but don’t take the bike lane, take an immediate right into the Marine service road which runs parallel to the Marine Drive until you get to Section Street where you hook a left until you get to Koeberg Road. Turn right towards the M5-Koeberg Interchange. Here you have 2 options stay on the road or hop on to the side walk and share with the pedestrians until you get to Berkeley Road which will take you into Town via Salt River & Woodstock.

This unfortunately is the only viable route. 

[milky4130]

https://strava.app.link/W0ooYpSfgZb

[mrcg]

There is another option, which I must admit I haven't ridden in yonks. But, if you have a mtb or don't mind a short route on grass/walking path, then try this: ride until the entrance to the harbour (I assume it is still closed for cyclist entry), then hop onto grass verge on the right (into oncoming traffic). You will have the concrete fence of the harbour facility on your right, motorised traffic on your left and very little foot traffic. Only challenging part is the bridge (to Woodstock etc.) which you can walk. Once you get to the Christiaan Barnard Interchange, you can once again hop onto roads and correct side.

It's in total a much shorter detour - I would guess about 3km (see attached map and blue line). I've never considered it dangerous and you are highly visible next to N1 and a lot of passing traffic. So think it's fairly safe. It's only against traffic, but as you are on the grass verge/pedestrian path, I reckon it's not an issue. Stand to be corrected by any regular commuters....

[Mamil]

The area from Woodstock bridge to end of n1 is crime hotshot.

[milky4130]

11 hours ago, mrcg said:

There is another option, which I must admit I haven't ridden in yonks. But, if you have a mtb or don't mind a short route on grass/walking path, then try this: ride until the entrance to the harbour (I assume it is still closed for cyclist entry), then hop onto grass verge on the right (into oncoming traffic). You will have the concrete fence of the harbour facility on your right, motorised traffic on your left and very little foot traffic. Only challenging part is the bridge (to Woodstock etc.) which you can walk. Once you get to the Christiaan Barnard Interchange, you can once again hop onto roads and correct side.

It's in total a much shorter detour - I would guess about 3km (see attached map and blue line). I've never considered it dangerous and you are highly visible next to N1 and a lot of passing traffic. So think it's fairly safe. It's only against traffic, but as you are on the grass verge/pedestrian path, I reckon it's not an issue. Stand to be corrected by any regular commuters....

I would stay away from the N1 completely 

[mrcg]

On 12/20/2025 at 10:40 PM, mrcg said:

There is another option, which I must admit I haven't ridden in yonks. But, if you have a mtb or don't mind a short route on grass/walking path, then try this: ride until the entrance to the harbour (I assume it is still closed for cyclist entry), then hop onto grass verge on the right (into oncoming traffic). You will have the concrete fence of the harbour facility on your right, motorised traffic on your left and very little foot traffic. Only challenging part is the bridge (to Woodstock etc.) which you can walk. Once you get to the Christiaan Barnard Interchange, you can once again hop onto roads and correct side.

It's in total a much shorter detour - I would guess about 3km (see attached map and blue line). I've never considered it dangerous and you are highly visible next to N1 and a lot of passing traffic. So think it's fairly safe. It's only against traffic, but as you are on the grass verge/pedestrian path, I reckon it's not an issue. Stand to be corrected by any regular commuters....

Feedback: on 2 January I cycled this exact route on my mtb. Zero issues. In fact, I didnt see a single homeless person, nor any encampments on this side of the road. Also , no danger from traffic, as travelling on the grass verge, away from the road. I actually took the first bridge and rode along Lower Church toward Biscuit Mill (actual total route was from Sunningdale to Kommetjie - 60km, with rain, mild wind and sunshine). Awesome ride.

[milky4130]

1 hour ago, mrcg said:

Feedback: on 2 January I cycled this exact route on my mtb. Zero issues. In fact, I didnt see a single homeless person, nor any encampments on this side of the road. Also , no danger from traffic, as travelling on the grass verge, away from the road. I actually took the first bridge and rode along Lower Church toward Biscuit Mill (actual total route was from Sunningdale to Kommetjie - 60km, with rain, mild wind and sunshine). Awesome ride.

just know you got lucky then.

[Robbie Stewart]

I live in Sunningdale and did the N1 run to town only once and never again. It just felt so dodgy and to boot I nearly got stepped on by a container truck. First time I actually feared riding my bicycle. To me it's just not worth it anymore.

[Roadie_]

Is the woodstock n1 area still dodgy, or have okes been cycling past there on weekend mornings without any issues?

[milky4130]

32 minutes ago, Roadie_ said:

Is the woodstock n1 area still dodgy, or have okes been cycling past there on weekend mornings without any issues?

yes still dodge, you either get luck or unlucky.

[ChrisF]

36 minutes ago, Roadie_ said:

Is the woodstock n1 area still dodgy, or have okes been cycling past there on weekend mornings without any issues?

 

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