Cape Town danger areas

[Robbie Stewart]

Although not cycling related, this occurred close to where multiple cyclists have been attacked in the recent past. Sure, there are mitigating factors, like walking home alone at that time of the morning, but that part of town is absolutely not safe.

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-makeup-artist-stabbed-and-killed-on-her-way-home/

[FootballingCyclist]

1 hour ago, Ncayi said:

I am not sure this has been mentioned before so I will say it. The taxi association(s) could be an ally in this situation. If those who have been victims of  this "taxi gang" have any basic descriptors (stickers, accessories, make of the taxi etc) of the taxi(s) in question. They could find out which taxi association(s) use the robbery sites as part of their route. Then reach out to them directly or through the PPA and see what comes up.

As chaotic as the taxi industry is, those guys know each others taxi's. I mean to the level of knowing who has a busted left rear light, who has a dent next to the passenger door, a bunny dangling from the inside mirror. You mention something and they can tell you that's so and so's taxi.

It might be a long shot, but maybe something meaningful may come up.

Big chance that the Taxi owner is not aware of what the driver is doing in the mornings. Their business is simple, X drives the Taxi, The owner of said Taxi wants 2k a day, everything after that the drivers keep as their wages(Now you know why the drive the way they do because they do not earn a set wage. Often taxi owners leave their vans with the drivers as parking all their vans at their house makes them a target for other criminals as they are known to obviously handle large sums of cash. There have been taxi owners in the past who have handed the driver over to the community for "mob justice" when the driver has used the van to commit crimes.

 

1 hour ago, The Ouzo said:

My guess is its not a real taxi anyway. i.e. the vehicle is not used as a legitimate taxi. They use the same kind of vehicle as its pretty non descrip and nobody bats an eyelid seeing one driving up and down.

I think it is, The Westlake taxi's travel that route. I think they're up early, They do what they've been doing by robbing cyclists before peak hour, then they go drop the bikes in the informal settlement in Westlake (any further would be too risky as there are chances of being caught), then afterwards they go about their merry way of picking up passengers and continue their daily routine.

[wolver]

There are camera's at the entrance to Uitsig, surely the Bike Park could assist with getting footage from security to potentially identify the Taxi in question? 

 

[FootballingCyclist]

5 minutes ago, wolver said:

There are camera's at the entrance to Uitsig, surely the Bike Park could assist with getting footage from security to potentially identify the Taxi in question? 

 

There are also cameras along Tokai Road aswell which is where the Taxi headed last week to get to the M3 after mugging the other cyclist, But it's up to the victims to go with the cops or whoever and go and view the camera footage.

[Organic]

2 hours ago, FootballingCyclist said:

There are also cameras along Tokai Road aswell which is where the Taxi headed last week to get to the M3 after mugging the other cyclist, But it's up to the victims to go with the cops or whoever and go and view the camera footage.

The Tokai neighbourhood watch have previously helped me to get pictures when somebody tried to hijack me along there.  It's worth contacting them:  https://tncw.org.za/contact.aspx

[MTBRIDER1234]

5 hours ago, MarcW said:

Wow, this is getting out of hand. I am convinced its the same group of 3 that bike jacked me in April this year, now they have a more suitable vehicle to fit a bike in it. 

The general public aren't aware of these incidents it seems, it's quite easy to create some awareness by posting them on the community and NHW facebook groups. There were a couple car break-ins in Dennendal West at the forest and next thing there was a mobile camera set up - and the chap was caught not too long after. 

This is pretty crazy to think about. I ride past there twice a week minimum, at 9ish in the morning and normally back at about 6. I always ride there alone and so far, I have been alright, but I am not sure for how much longer it will remain safe to do so. Especially considering that it is likely organised crime and not some chancers having a go.

It's really shitty to think that riding on the roads is so dangerous, not only due to idiot drivers, but the frequency of bikejackings. It really pisses me off when it would be as easy as to have cameras along that stretch and maybe a community funded security guard or similar. I know that I would certainly pay if it meant that my chances of getting my bike stolen were greatly reduced.

[MORNE]

30 minutes ago, MTBRIDER1234 said:

This is pretty crazy to think about. I ride past there twice a week minimum, at 9ish in the morning and normally back at about 6. I always ride there alone and so far, I have been alright, but I am not sure for how much longer it will remain safe to do so. Especially considering that it is likely organised crime and not some chancers having a go.

It's really shitty to think that riding on the roads is so dangerous, not only due to idiot drivers, but the frequency of bikejackings. It really pisses me off when it would be as easy as to have cameras along that stretch and maybe a community funded security guard or similar. I know that I would certainly pay if it meant that my chances of getting my bike stolen were greatly reduced.

i know it's not always viable but maybe consider riding on the opposite side of the road through this hotspot area? i know it's frowned upon but i'd rather be alive than right. At least then you can see any and all taxis coming from the front and it also puts you on the "wrong" side of the car should they still try and approach you from the rear  and open the sliding door to get you.

Edited November 16, 2022 by MORNE

[NC_lurker]

7 hours ago, FootballingCyclist said:

... They drive up and down Spaanschemat early morning waiting to see cyclists, They then wait for there to be no other oncoming vehicles and then they pounce. 

I wonder if they aren't parking at the stone church waiting for a suitable target/s to ride past. 

[Jbr]

https://bikehub.co.za/stolen-bikes/2415/bianchi-arcadex-gravel-bike-2022
 

another one… this is getting too big how long are these ******* going to be allowed to operate ? Isn’t there any residents in the area that cycle and can pressure local security companies to do something about it ?

[Meezo]

19 minutes ago, Jbr said:

https://bikehub.co.za/stolen-bikes/2415/bianchi-arcadex-gravel-bike-2022
 

another one… this is getting too big how long are these ******* going to be allowed to operate ? Isn’t there any residents in the area that cycle and can pressure local security companies to do something about it ?

It's the same one since about a page or so back

[babse]

see another incident yesterday on cycle lane into town... 

Ffs

 

 

[peepeekaitjie]

I don't understand why people still use it? It's like pulling a lion's tail and wondering why it ****ed you

[Robbie Stewart]

19 minutes ago, peepeekaitjie said:

I don't understand why people still use it? It's like pulling a lion's tail and wondering why it ****ed you

Ja wragtig. I get that we have a right to cycle where we want, but I seriously don't understand riding in KNOWN risky areas.

Like I won't be cycling around Dunoon and the Contermans area as much as I'd want to. That'd just be foolish. 

Cutting off your nose to spite your face is generally considered I'll advice.

[mazambaan]

10 hours ago, Jbr said:

https://bikehub.co.za/stolen-bikes/2415/bianchi-arcadex-gravel-bike-2022
 

another one… this is getting too big how long are these ******* going to be allowed to operate ? Isn’t there any residents in the area that cycle and can pressure local security companies to do something about it ?

I am from afar but think this is where PPA should put their weight behind doing something (more?) for cyclist safety

[Albatross]

re Foreshore: At the very least a sign warning cyclists that this is a high crime area, so that the out of towners are made aware

[Cafe Racer]

I am of the opinion, that we as cyclists and local community approach a local security company and incentivise them to catch this syndicate, I am sure we could raise 10k easily between all of us, then offer 10k per arrest. These local priveteers would lap this up quickly.... we could save our neighbourhood and get the trash out and show them we won't stand for it, it's this or will just become victims and prisoners in our own backyard. I just want to ride my bike why must I worry about being mugged, it's just nonsensical.