The Pedal Power Association (PPA) is organising a series of safety awareness events in Durban and is calling on all local cyclists to participate.

Awareness Ride

“Too many lives have been lost and something needs to be done,” says Robert Vogel, CEO of the PPA, South Africa’s largest cycling organisation. As a result, his organisation will be hosting an:

A 25km awareness ride will take place on Saturday, 27 April, starting at 6h00 from Cycle Lab Cornubia Mall that will see riders cycle to Umhlanga Ridge and back.

Taking place the day before the popular aQuelle Tour Durban, the ride will focus attention on the dangers faced by the many cyclists who use the roads in Durban.

Along with this is a …

Public Protest

There will also be a silent protest outside the Verulam court on Monday, 29 April as the PPA asks for justice after the death of cyclist Craig Diedericks earlier this year. Craig was one of seven Cycle Specialists Cycling Club riders out cycling along the M4 Ruth First Highway on Sunday morning, 10 January. A taxi hit into three of the riders just before the M27 Umdhloti off-ramp and tragically, Craig lost his life, whilst the other two riders were treated for injuries. The driver was charged with culpable homicide

“We are calling on the local authorities to take action in order to prevent further accidents from happening and to avoid any more fatalities,” says Robert Vogel. “Motorists must also accept that cyclists have full and equal rights to share the road. As long as motorist see cyclists as a nuisance on the road, cyclists will be killed. Drivers need to make the same decisions when passing a cyclist, as they do when preparing to pass a motor vehicle.” 

What vehicle drivers inexplicably seem to forget is how vulnerable cyclists are on compared to a motorist. Cyclists aren’t always in the right but, in any confrontation with a vehicle they are significantly more vulnerable to injury. Through these safe cycling awareness events, the PPA is asking motorists to please give cyclists the space they need to use the roads safely.

“The PPA would like motorists and cyclists alike to modify their behaviour and do the right thing by obeying the rules of the road,” says Vogel. “A behaviour shift is the only sustainable and cost effective way to make the roads safer. When the traffic laws are broken, we need zero tolerance approach from the authorities.

“Cyclists are contributing members of this community, we are people with families, and all we ask for is the authorities consideration and attention in addressing the issues that so tragically impact the South African cycling community,” he concluded.

KEY INFO

AWARENESS RIDE

When : Saturday 27 April 2019

Where: Cycle Lab Cornubia Mall Durban

Time: 6:00 am for 6h30

Route: From Cycle Lab Cornubia, exit in a southerly direction, turn onto Umhlanga Ridge Blvd. From there, it’s onto Herwood Drive, straight to Umhlanga Rocks Drive, to Margaret Maytom into Adelaide Tambo Drive. Continue onto Newport Drive to Armstrong Ave, then carry on to La Lucia Mall under M4, proceed to Forest Drive, onto Ocean Way, then Lagoon Drive to Weaver and Park Ave, under M4 onto Portland Drive, up “Radar Climb” onto Herwood Drive onto Umhlanga /ridge Blvd, and carry on over N2 Freeway to Makro Circle, and finally to Cornubia.

It is a relaxed-pace, 25km ride and all cyclists are invited to join. Please wear bright clothing and, should you wish to purchase a high-visibility “Stay Wider of the Rider” jersey, kindly contact Zarah on 021 671 3478 or zarah@pedalpower.org.za to arrange this.

VERULAM COURT PROTEST

When: Monday 29 April

Where: Verulam Court

Time: 8h30 – 9h30 outside the court

The PPA will hand out posters there, please join and support.