The high number of cycle fatalities every year, especially in the months leading up to the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, led to the launch of a ‘Safe Cycling’ campaign in 2011 by the Pedal Power Association, and a demand of the Western Cape government to pass a law to separate cyclists and motorists by 1,5 meters. The law has not yet been passed, but the Pedal Power Association hosted a reminder “Ride for Your Life” awareness ride from Camps Bay to Hout Bay and back yesterday, three weeks from the start of the Cycle Tour.
The Pedal Power Association communication to its 20000 members clearly places the blame of any cycle accident on motorists, and yesterday’s ride was geared to ‘get the message out there that we will not stand for any more cyclists being hit by vehicles’. The day before a cyclist was knocked over and died in Johannesburg. T-shirts, licence disk holders, and bumper stickers have been designed and the participating cyclists were incentivised to wear the T-shirt. Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde, himself a
keen cyclist, participated in yesterday’s cycle safety awareness ride, Tweeted about it prior to the race, and posted a photograph on Twitter.
While cyclists project that motorists are at fault when there are cycling incidents, it is clear to see on Twitter that many motorists are annoyed at the disrespect shown by cyclists for the rules of the road, for riding two or more abreast, for riding in the middle of the lane without making space for motorists, for swearing at motorists daring to hoot at them, and for breaking many rules of the road. While motorists may try to keep the distance of 1,5 meters, they are dependent on cyclists keeping to the left of the lane, so that they do not have to drive into oncoming traffic. The bumper stickers are designed for cycle-friendly motorists, who want to help by becoming safe cycling ambassadors.
The safe cycling awareness ride message probably hit home to cyclists yesterday, which is an excellent start, but little has been done to build a better relationship between cyclists and motorists. The Argus Cycle Tour is an important tourism contributor, and generator of economic income for the Cape, so it is important that both parties tolerate and respect each other in the run up to the cycle race of the year, to prevent cycling and the Argus Cycle Tour from being synonymous with accidents and negative publicity!
Pedal Power Association. www.peddlepower.org.za
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage
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