The city has spent R300 million on non-motorised transport projects, including the cycle lanes which have been painted green with skid-resistant paint. Picture: Thomas Holder/Independent Media.
Cape Town 150703. Motorist parked their cars in a lane meant to be used by Cyclists in Albert raod, Woodstock. Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Kieran/Argus
Cape Town - Cars parked illegally in the City of Cape Town’s dedicated green cycle lanes will be towed away “as a matter of urgency”, as part of the city’s zero tolerance enforcement of its cycle routes.
The city has spent R300 million on non-motorised transport projects, including the cycle lanes which have been painted green with skid-resistant paint, but an inspection by the Cape Argus revealed that most of the dedicated green cycle lanes were clogged up with parked cars or being used by motorists.
Following the Cape Argus’s findings that the city’s cycle lanes were a “failure” as well as numerous complaints from the cycling fraternity, including the Pedal Power Association, the city announced that it will introduce stringent enforcement measures over the next few weeks.
ACTION PLAN
Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for Transport for Cape Town, said the measures would ensure that motorists refrained from using the lanes in the city centre and Albert Road, Woodstock, and Salt River at all times.
This would mean the installation of bollards along the green cycle lane in Albert Road in Salt River to prevent other road users from entering the lane. There would also be road studs along this part of the road.
Drivers who double-parked or obstructed any of the dedicated lanes would be towed away in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. The owner of the car would have to pay a release fee for the impounded vehicle, as well as a fine.
Early yesterday, newly elected ANC provincial secretary, Faiez Jacobs, called on the city to apply strict measures to ensure the vehicle, as well as a fine.
Early yesterday, newly elected ANC provincial secretary, Faiez Jacobs, called on the city to apply strict measures to ensure the safety of cyclists on Cape Town’s roads.
“Cycling has always been prevalent in Cape Town as a form of recreation or even as a form of transportation from point to point.
“Cyclists have, however, become some of the most vulnerable road users. A collaboration between traffic police and cyclists organisations must be implemented as a matter of urgency to ensure that cyclists are on police’s radar at all times.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
“Equally, cyclists should recognise their own vulnerability and should adopt safe cycling behaviour and habits. Road safety is a shared responsibility,” Jacobs said. “As a fellow cyclist myself I express empathy and call on more vigilance and commitment in ensuring safety of cyclists.”
Herron said the city had provided the cycle lanes to encourage more commuters to use their bicycles instead of cars.
“Our city’s roads are heavily congested and the purpose of this strategy is to lure motorists away from private vehicles and to convince them to rather cycle or walk to where they need to be when it is practical to do so. The only sustainable way to reduce congestion is to reduce the number of vehicle trips on our roads.”
He said while the city would get tough on transgressors who blocked the cycle lanes, cyclists needed to take ownership of their roads.
“I therefore want to appeal to the cycling fraternity to please report transgressors to the city. I can assure them that the city’s traffic service will take action and enforce all illegal parking and stopping in the cycle lanes.”
CYCLISTS FUME
Cyclists have taken to social media to highlight the abuse of the dedicated cycle lanes. In one picture, posted on Twitter on June 25, a soft drink company’s truck is caught unloading crates on the dedicated cycle lane.
Others have called the use of only paint, without any barriers a “design flaw”. Herron said in 2013, when the cycle lanes were introduced, that the painted lanes had proved effective overseas.
Gail Jennings, an independent consultant on non-motorised transport, said then that painted cycle lanes were usually accompanied by road studs, painted islands or bollards.
The city’s move towards harsher penalties for transgressors has been welcomed by Steve Hayward, chair of the Pedal Power Association. “Certainly we will be very pleased if they enforce the lanes as it sends a message to cyclists that the city is acting and gives them the opportunity to use the lanes safely because cars won’t be parked there.”
Illegal activity in the cycle lanes could be reported to the city’s safety and security directorate on 021 596 1999 or the transport centre on 0800 65 64 63.
Cape Argus