Public urged to comment on Cape Town City’s draft Cycling Strategy
The City of Cape Town’s Transport and Urban Development Authority has published a draft Cycling Strategy which aims to increase the percentage of commuter trips made by bicycle from the current 1% to 8% by 2030. Inclusive of the draft strategy is a proposal for a bicycle manufacturing plant in Cape Town.
The City of Cape Town has committed substantial resources over the past eight years to pursuing the vision of a cycling-friendly city. Currently cyclists have access to at least 450 km of cycle lanes across the city, some of which are separate from the road.
‘Although some of these lanes are popular for recreational cycling, we still have not seen the growth in commuter cycling which is required to have a noticeable impact on traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and to improve mobility in the lower-income areas. We evidently need a new approach, together with some key interventions from both the City and the private sector, to realise our goal to increase the percentage of commuter trips by bicycle to 8% within the next 13 years. Our new draft Cycling Strategy which is now available for public comment makes some bold proposals. I invite residents and interested and affected parties to read this document and to submit their suggestions on how we can turn Cape Town into a top cycling city,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA), Councillor Brett Herron.
The Cycling Strategy identifies five options to improve access to affordable bicycles, including employer programmes to purchase and maintain bicycles, a bike-share system or a lease scheme for local trips and student travel, donations, and bicycle distribution programmes.
Key strategies identified in the draft Cycling Strategy are as follows:
• Improved access to bicycles for lower-income communities is pivotal
• Road safety (traffic) and personal security (crime prevention) along cycling routes must be improved
• The planning, design and provision of cycling lanes must be location-specific, i.e. what works in one area does not necessarily apply in another
• Cycling infrastructure such as cycle lanes, bicycle parking facilities, and storage facilities must be maintained
‘For cycling to become the norm, we need a network of well-designed cycle routes and appropriate cycling infrastructure. Facilities such as lockers, changing areas, and showers for those cycling long distances may be needed and in this regard private employers will play an important role in creating an enabling environment for those who want to cycle to work,’ said Councillor Herron.
The Cycling Strategy proposes that cycle routes must be:
• safe – the route must limit the conflict between cyclists and other road users, in particular along routes where vehicles travel at high speeds
• secure – routes must be located in well-lit and populated areas
• direct – routes should avoid detours and must be continuous, recognisable and link all major origins and destinations
• comfortable – routes must be well maintained, provide a comfortable non-slip riding surface, and have gentle curves and flat gradients where possible
• attractive – routes must complement their surroundings and contribute to a positive cycling experience
The biggest challenges pertain to improved access to bicycles, ensuring that cycle routes are safe in terms of road safety and crime, and convincing more residents to accept and use cycling as a legitimate mode of transport.
The draft strategy will be available for viewing on http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/have-your-say/issues-open-for-public-comment?L1=Issues
nd copies will be made available at subcouncil offices and City libraries from Monday 23 January 2017.
Residents and interested and affected parties will have the opportunity to submit comments, input or recommendations on the draft Cycling Strategy as from Monday 23 January 2017 to Tuesday 21 February 2017.
Article originally posted http://www.capetown.gov.za/media-and-news/Public%20urged%20to%20comment%20on%20City’s%20draft%20Cycling%20Strategy
