for the kaapies - IRT bike paths

[Stretch]

found no other posts...but yet again the opposition run city is coming up with the goods.

 

 

 

"......A key feature of the new IRT system is the network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian pathways around the main bus trunk routes. The West Coast IRT starter service that will launch towards the end of 2010 features a smooth three metre wide tarred cycle path running along its entire 16km length from the city centre to the middle of Blaauberg. "

 

 

 

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/IRTbikepathsdesignedforcyclistsbycylists.aspx

[ccc2]

is there a 3 m wide bike lane on each side of the road or just one 3 m bike for bike traffic in both directions?

[Edge_Design]

Finally a way to get to the Northern suburbs safely! Might actually be able to start cycling to work with that...

[Jake]

I may even consider getting a road bike if this works as well as it sounds.

[Woofie]

Question is.

 

Are you going to be sharing that bike lane with pedastrians as well?

 

 

[Woofie]

Just went and read the article

 

 

 

One noticeable enhancement on the bicycle lane is that the surface changes as it approaches intersections from about 20m, then changes again in the area immediately surrounding the intersection. These subtle variations, together with warning and yield signs, provide a clear signal that pedestrians or vehicles may be present in the area, particularly as cyclists could be travelling up to 25km an hour along some stretches.

 

 

 

 

 

mmmm..... if the south easter is pumping 25km/h is not really true.

 

 

 

I have hit 70km/h before with the wind along the west coast road.

 

 

 

 

[javadude]

It all sounds good on paper, but whats stopping the taxis from hijacking the bike lane for their own benefit.

[ewald99]

taxis should not be a problem. usually the bike paths are raised and separated from normal traffic by a row of trees or a barrier. I am sure there will be some kind of barrier at the entrance splitting the lane making it impossible for cars etc to enter, similar to the paths along PE beachfront.

 

I know you can't call it untill the thing is complete and being used, but at this point it looks great. my house is very near there and I have been on there with my mountain bike a few times and running there (some parts are done except for the final layer of tar) and you really do feel completely safe and it is smooth and wide, no need to hold back on the speed.

 

Another nice thing is that they say that all along the bike path there will be a pedestrian path also. I have seen this at some places but not all along the route, perhaps they will still add it to some sections before it is finished, but it sounds like they also took that into account.

 

When it is done it will remove the need to ride on the road through Milnerton and past Paarden Island, which has seen 3 fatal accidents in the last 2 years involving cyclists. Hopefully this will help to make us all safer, even though it does not solve the bigger problem.

[parabola]

Cant wait, will have to start building up a commuter. A great alternative to idling in the traffic!

[Stretch]

I must say - Cape town certainly is leading the pack. last time I was down in cape town, i noticed that the bike/pedestrian paths along old main Road in Rondebosch/newlands etc were still functional. Arguably they are glorified pavements, but dedicated bike lanes none the less!