While Cape Town benefits from the annual Argus Cycle Tour held in March, it will soon see even more international cyclists on our roads, the Western Cape aiming to attract 100000 cycle tourists by 2023. This is the bold plan of Alan Winde, provincial Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, and Finance, reports the Cape Argus.
Minister Winde recently visited the Netherlands, and its Dutch Cycling Embassy, a network of cycling experts. The country has a very low cyclist fatality rate, and the cycling embassy is willing to come to the party, the Minister announced. ‘To assist, the Dutch Embassy has offered to host a workshop here. Talking points will include the social and economic impact of cycling. It will also help with an economic impact study on the benefits of cycling for the Western Cape‘.
Dave Bellairs, Director of the Argus Cycle Tour, supports the Minister’s goal. ‘Attracting overseas cyclists has been a cornerstone of our strategy for about 10 years. We now attract around 3 500 (overseas) cyclists a year to the Tour. (Some of their) partners often travel with them, so the total is around 5 000 inbound tourists. Aside from the Cycle Tour, the Western Cape is an ideal cycling tourism destination, what with our coastal routes, Winelands routes, our mountain biking – there’s an untapped variety of options for people. From a European perspective, we sit on the same time zone, and yet we’re sunny during their European winter. Our road infrastructure is superb, and is in fact better suited to cycling than many European countries. the one challenge we have is creating an environment conducive to safe cycling‘.
To attract more attention to the Argus Cycle Tour, and to increase the international participation in it, a similar cycle race is to be held in London. No dates or further details about the London cycle race were revealed in the article. South Africa hosts the largest number of international mountain bike races, even beating the number hosted in Switzerland, says Kevin Vermaak, Founder of the ABSA Cape Epic.
Minister Winde’s plan to attract cycle tourists throughout the year and not just for one weekend in March is most welcome, and one hopes that they will also visit the Western Cape in the green season months.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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