The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron, has announced that from 1 to 30 October 2012, the City of Cape Town will experiment with lifting the prohibition on the use of bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades on the Sea Point Promenade. October is Transport Month, and this initiative enjoys the full backing of the Sea Point Residents’ Association. It will affect the entire promenade, from Mouille Point to Queen’s Beach.
Says the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron: “We will be monitoring the situation very closely during the trial phase. However I am confident that the experience will allow us to overcome some of our misperceptions and prejudices around users of alternative transport methods, also known as ‘active mobility’.”
With the seasons slowly turning, warmer weather will mean that the promenade is bound to become increasingly busy. For the safety and enjoyment of all, right of way should still be given to pedestrians, prams and wheelchair users.
“All visitors to the promenade are asked to remain courteous and considerate – especially toward more vulnerable users. Cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers must, in all cases, give right of way to pedestrians, prams and wheelchair users, and travel at a safe and sensible speed,” said Councillor Herron.
The promenade is not being opened for professional cycling or skateboarding tricks, but for the use of bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades for leisurely transportation purposes.
“The idea, from an urban planning perspective, is that the high density of pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers will have a slowing down effect on the general speed of traffic,” said Councillor Herron.
Councillor Beverley Schafer, Ward Councillor for the Atlantic Seaboard, said that there has always been the understanding amongst Sea Point residents that the promenade was a treasure to be shared with people from all over Cape Town and beyond.
“It simply does not make sense that visitors on bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades are not able to enjoy the promenade as our walkers and joggers do. This trial period will also cater for the increasing numbers of tour guides taking groups of cycling tourists along key scenic routes in the city,” said Councillor Schafer.
