The Pedal Power Association (PPA), South Africa’s largest cycling organisation, is hosting an awareness ride in PE, to focus on road safety and other issues currently threatening the safety of cyclists in and around the city.
The organisation, with a paid membership of over 13 000 cyclists, is planning a ride that will start from the Grassroof Farm Stall and Restaurant on Saturday, February 22, at 07:00. The PPA calls on all riders to get on their bicycles and join this peaceful civic action.
After the ride, the PPA will hand over a letter to a representative of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, outlining their concerns and providing recommendations to improve the safety of cyclists in and around the Bay.
“We have during the past few years noticed a growing intolerance between motorists and cyclists coupled with an increasing trend of lawlessness among road users, which threatens the safety of cyclists in PE,” said chairperson of the PPA, Rens Rezelman.
According to local PPA representative, Leon Claasen, there is a real concern as the number of accidents involving motor vehicles and cyclists has increased resulting in serious and fatal injuries of cyclists.
“Cyclists are taxpayers, contributing members of the community and family members, so each serious injury or death is an unnecessary one, which we believe can be avoided,” explained Rezelman.
“We are asking motorists and cyclists alike to modify their behaviour and do the right thing by obeying the rules of the road,” Rezelman said.
“Behaviour shift is the only sustainable and cost effective way to make the roads safer. When the traffic laws are broken, we need a zero tolerance approach from the authorities.”
The PPA will also conduct reflective bib hand-outs in Walmer Estate and Motherwell in conjunction with the RAF, whose sponsorship allows cyclists to remain visible and safe on the roads. The RAF has arranged sticker hand-outs to motorists at busy intersections.
For more information, go to www.pedalpower.org.za.
