Cyclists will pass through Marlboro, Newtown, Braamfontein and Randburg – all sites of developments led by the JDA.
The 2014 edition of the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, taking place on Sunday, 16 November, encompasses a visual spectacle of some of the Johannesburg Development Agency’s (JDA’s) ongoing and completed developments around the City.
The Cycle Challenge, hosted by the City of Joburg, has a new starting and finishing venue this year at Riversands Commercial Park in Fourways.
Now in its 18th year, the popular festival of cycling has established itself as one of the biggest and toughest cycle races in the country, with over 30 000 cyclists taking to the streets of Johannesburg for last year’s Cycle Challenge.
This year’s route tweaks will see local and international cyclists from all walks of life passing through a number of the JDA’s developmental areas, including Marlboro, where the Greater Alexandra-Marlboro Automotive Industrial Park will be located; Randburg, where various upgrades are taking place; and the inner city, where the JDA’s focus is on Newtown, Ferreirastown, and Braamfontein.
Inner city developments spearheaded by the JDA include the R1.3-billion Newtown Junction, the biggest multi-use development to open in Joburg’s CBD since the Carlton Centre; the Westgate precinct, a multimodal public transport hub that has undergone intense rejuvenation; and the revamped Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Cyclists will also be able to spot some the public artworks installed by the agency, such as the Eland in Braamfontein and the Fire Walker in Newtown.
And of course, they will also race over the landmark Nelson Mandela Bridge between Newtown and Braamfontein.
“947 is proud to promote an event that showcases the beauty that envelops our city and the thousands of fun and exciting people who live in it,” said Ravi Naidoo, programme manager at 947. “This event is one that brings about a strong sense of community.”