Cyclists, skateboarders and strollers have lauded the City’s decision to lift the ban on two and four-wheeled transport on the Sea Point promenade as part of Transport Month. The lift of the ban extends to the prohibition on the use of bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades on the promenade.
The initiative enjoys the full backing of the Sea Point Residents’ Association.
Muizenberg resident and father, Mike Hoole says, “We are looking for safe areas for our children to use. It’s great that we can go to Sea Point and the children can take their skateboards and enjoy some fresh air.” Hoole added that people needed to respect one another and those on wheels should give way to walkers and joggers.
Mikhail Patrick of Retreat has been skateboarding for the past two years and is excited about using the promenade. “It’s good that we can go to Sea Point. I always got chased off the pathway before. I don’t see why they can’t do the same at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg, because many surfers skateboard and longboard. The floor is smooth which makes it better and I will be able to enjoy a nice view of the sea, too while I am skateboarding. We will respect other people who also use the path,” he said.
Andrew Wheeldon, of the Bicycle Empowerment Network, also welcomed the initiative. “Cyclists have been forced to use very busy roads or break the law by coming on to the promenade. We want to interact well with pedestrians and other road users, so this is a fantastic opportunity.”
Marco Morgan, from the National Skateboard Collectors group, said skaters were often harassed and fined. “There is no facility for our recreational use so this is a step in the right direction.”
Sea Point resident Melvin Adams says has no problems with allowing other means of transport onto the promenade and would like to rather have it permanently introduced to Sea Point. “This is the perfect spot to cycle, rollerblade or even skateboard. The City must consider leaving the promenade open to all,” said Adams.
Other users of the promenade are taking a far more conservative approach:
Sally Jacobs, a regular jogger on the promenade, has no real concerns with introducing other transport measures but says if these measures prove to be dangerous to other users then the idea would need to be revisited. “I think it’s fine having to allow everybody to use the promenade, but they should be using the promenade responsibly and take into consideration there are others also travelling on the same route,” she said.
George Calverley said the pathway (along the promenade) should be separated and a side be allocated for people to walk and run. “If it works then why not make it permanent because cycling is easier for many people as a form of exercise is concerned? People just need to be careful and tolerant of each other,” said Calverley.
The initiative has been successful on promenades and walkways in other parts of the world and is “a logical extension” of the Share the Road Campaign, which encourages cyclists and motorists to share roads courteously and safely.
An article published on www.bicyclecapetown.org sums up the general consensus: “The rationale behind making the promenade more inclusive is a commendable attempt to foster the (safe and inclusive) sharing of public spaces by different groups of people. In order to build a type of environment which calls for radical behavior change, it is important to take this sort of risks.
“It may sound trivial but what are cities if not people and those of us who will be running, cycling and skating on the promenade can decide whether or not we can share this type of public space safely and constructively. The city has simply provided the opportunity to try it. It will be up to us to utilise those spaces responsibly so we can demand more!” It said.
