City Launches MyCiTi West Coast Cycling and Walking Lanes

The first walking and cycling lanes (officially called non-motorised transport, or NMT lanes) of the new MyCiTi transport system will be launched on Tuesday 1 February, with a brief celebration and fun ride.

All media, residents of the area, cyclists and other interested parties are invited to grab their bicycles and helmets and participate, or simply come to watch.

Date: Tuesday 1 February
Time: Meet between 06:30 and 06:45
Venue: The municipal parking lot on Woodbridge Island, Milnerton

Rollerbladers, skateboarders and those using other NMT modes are also welcome.

At 06:45, Cape Town Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, and the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects, Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, will welcome the riders. The ride to central Cape Town will then begin. The event aims to give residents a taste of what fun it is to walk, cycle, rollerblade or skateboard along these new lanes, and how easy it is to commute to central Cape Town by bicycle.

The launch will take place in the early morning to allow cyclists to commute to work. It celebrates the completion last month of a 15km stretch of NMT lanes between Table View and the central city, which run parallel to the new red MyCiTi bus lanes. Similar NMT lanes are to be built along MyCiTi bus lanes across the city as the system unfolds. A network of smaller lanes will connect up the major routes, resulting in a network covering all of Cape Town. This is part of a far-reaching plan by the City's NMT planners, which aims to allow people to cycle across Cape Town from any one destination to any other.

NMT lanes are under construction in the central city along Adderley, Shortmarket and Somerset roads. In addition, new urban cycling and walking paths have already been built along the Liesbeek River and in Athlone, Gatesville, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Philippi. Many cyclists and pedestrians are already using the lanes between Table View and Cape Town.

"We are delighted with the completion of the first 15 km stretch between Table View and the city centre," said Chairman of the Pedal Power Association, Steve Hayward

"The Association not only aims to promote cycling as a recreational activity, but also as a means of commuting. We look forward to the completion of many similar initiatives," he said.

The Managing Director of the Bicycle Empowerment Network, Andrew Wheeldon, "wholeheartedly applauded" the City of Cape Town for addressing the need for safe cycling facilities.

"Thank you for taking the first steps towards a safe and secure environment for all cyclists. Bicycles bring health, mobility, independence and social cohesion, and are good for the environment," he said.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town