Was it the right decision to halt the development of bicycle lanes in Johannesburg?
New Johannesburg major Herman Mashaba, is quoted to “intend putting a halt to ” the Johannesburg cycling lane project. “When every road in Johannesburg is tarred, maybe then we will look at bicycle lanes again,” said Mashaba.
In your view, was it the right decision to abolish, or halt the development of bicycle lanes around Joburg city?
A rather very short sighted view. Cycling lanes are the key to transform a city. They enable people to access work and education. Especially among the lower income households, which otherwise (as it currently is), have to spend their income on public transport or private cars.
Sure, Braamfontain has cycling lanes that no one uses. Inclusion of the community, universities and daily commuters is required to promote cycling the city. The aim should be to achieve a critical mass of cyclists, which will create awareness amongst other road users, eventually making cycling in Joburg a safe and joyful mode of transportation. Over and above, it will bring so many other benefits…
Mr. Mashaba, please visit other cities around the world and learn!
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LikeDislikeToo much money for a privileged few. Money is better spend on schooling and housing projects!
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LikeDislikeToo much money for a privileged few? Isn’t a bicycle as a mode of transport much cheaper than a car, daily taxi fares or bus rides? I don’t understand that attitude.
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LikeDislikeYes! And not because Joburg doesn’t need cycle lanes.
The bike lanes that have been built thus far (to the tune of R100+ million) have been almost a total waste of public money. We don”t need more of the same!
!) They have been built on routes no one uses. Why weren’t routes that people actually use identified and prioritised?
2) Generally the lanes are green paint on the existing roads, narrowing traffic and parking and causing more problems than they solve.
3) Cycle lanes have to be totally segregated from motor vehicle bearing roads, and there is plenty of space on pavements here. Cyclists and pedestrians can co-exist. In town and elsewhere where necessary, roads should be pedestrianised with cycle lanes.
4) The cycle lanes that there are, are discontigious. They stop short of intersections and traffic lights where there is no provision for cyclist crossing. In Braamfontein, one even butts up flat against a parking space.
Whilst there may have been goodwill in these projects, the planning and execution have been a disaster. People who have done this have no figgin clue about the realities if commuter cycling here in Joburg, let alone look elsewhere in the world, so much to see what works and what doesn’t.
So although the Mayor is right in pulling the plug on existing projects, provision and promotion of cycling as a form of transport should be kept on the agenda, but it should be recognisied that the current projects are a disaster. He should be asked to commission an enquiry into that, who was involved, how the money got spent, etc. Name and shame! The truth must be told!
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