The Mother City will open its roads to approximately 30 000 cyclists this weekend for the 48th edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, set to take place on Sunday 8 March.
Around 10 000 of the participating cyclists are expected to travel from outside Cape Town to take part in the iconic race. Last year, 10 091 travelling cyclists represented more than 60 countries, highlighting the international appeal of the event.
“This is a powerful reminder that the Cape Town Cycle Tour is not just a race, but a global draw card,” said Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith. “This week thousands more riders from across South Africa and the world will descend on the Mother City, filling hotels, restaurants and public spaces as they prepare to take on one of the most iconic cycling routes in the world.”
The City will deploy Safety and Security personnel from Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Disaster Risk Management along the route to ensure participants have a smooth and safe journey around the peninsula.
Expo kicks off the week
Cape Town Cycle Tour week begins on Thursday 5 March with the three-day rider registration and Lifecycle Expo at the Cape Town DHL Stadium. Approximately 35 000 people are expected to visit the expo over the three-day period.
The expo will feature more than 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest in cycling gear, nutrition, technology and apparel. Entry is free for participating cyclists and children under 12, while non-participants pay R50.
Expo operating hours:
- Thursday 5 March: 09:30-19:00
- Friday 6 March: 09:00-19:00
- Saturday 7 March: 09:00-16:00
Public parking will be available at CTICC P1 (paid), P9, P11, P12 and P13, with dedicated bike parking and disabled parking in P5 and P13.
Race day details
This year’s event features multiple race distances.
The traditional 109 km route starts at the Grand Parade at 06:16 and circles the Cape Peninsula before finishing on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point.
The 78 km Invitational Women’s Race starts at 06:20, while the u-17 Boys Race begins at 06:15, both starting in Fish Hoek and finishing in Green Point.
The increasingly popular 42 km route offers a shorter experience through the southern suburbs via the M3, starting at 10:00 and finishing in the city.
Road closures and transport impact
Residents and motorists should prepare for significant road closures. Minor closures begin Friday, with hard closures on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March, particularly affecting the CBD, Green Point, Sea Point, Southern Suburbs and Deep South areas.
Key closures include sections of Helen Suzman Boulevard, Chapman’s Peak Drive, M3 Highway (outbound), Nelson Mandela Boulevard (N2 outbound), Hospital Bend Interchange, Victoria Road in Camps Bay, and Main Road (M4) through the Deep South.
Castle Street between Darling and Stand streets will close from 19:00 on Friday until 06:00 on Saturday for start gantry construction.
On Saturday, multiple CBD streets will close from 14:00 until late Sunday afternoon.
MyCiTi routes in the CBD and to Hout Bay/Hangberg will be affected.
A three-stop bus shuttle between Hanover Street and Adderley Street will operate, with normal terminus services resuming by 15:00 on Sunday.
The City’s Kommetjie and Simon’s Town waste drop-off facilities will be closed on race day. Alternative facilities include Retreat (closes 13:00 Sunday) and Coastal Park Landfill Site on Baden Powell Drive (closes 14:00 Sunday).
Beat the traffic with special train services
Road agency Prasa Western Cape is offering an affordable alternative to navigate the road closures, with extra trains running on race day. Cyclists can travel for just R50 return, while spectators pay R20 return – both fares covering the complete round trip.
“The Cape Town Cycle Tour is one of the most iconic events on our provincial calendar, and Prasa Western Cape is proud to support it,” said Prasa Western Cape Regional Manager Raymond Maseko.
“For just R50 return for cyclists and R20 for spectators, the People’s Train is the smartest way to be part of the action.”
Park & Ride options are available on the Southern Line (Cape Town to Fish Hoek) at Observatory, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Kenilworth, Lakeside, Fish Hoek and Glencairn stations. Northern Line options include Tygerberg and Vasco stations.
Prasa Protection Services will maintain security at stations and parking areas throughout the day.
Where to watch
Spectators are encouraged to line the route at these prime viewing spots:
- Mostert’s Mill (M3), Edinburgh Drive (Wynberg Park)
- Ladies Mile, Steenberg Road, Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town
- Noordhoek Farm Village
- Hout Bay CBD
- Camps Bay Main Road
- Sea Point Promenade
- Race finish on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point
Visit www.eventsincapetown.com for more information.
Train schedules and service details will be published on Prasa Western Cape’s social media channels: https://x.com/MetrorailWC
https://www.instagram.com/metrorailwc/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/MetrorailWC
Or visit: https://cttrains.co.za/
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