Cycle Jozi Week, an initiative aimed at promoting a “cycling-friendly” city, will see a range of events taking place at venues across Johannesburg from Monday, 16 March to Sunday, 22 March.
Cycle Jozi Week ProgrammeCLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW PROGRAMMEThe initiative will be hosted by the City of Joburg and in partnership with the Cycle Jozi Forum, Hollard Insurance, Qhubeka, the national and provincial Departments of Transport, and the Johannesburg Urban Cyclist Association.
It will include cycling-related activities in Orlando, Diepsloot, Braamfontein and the Sandton CBD, a two-day seminar on best practice for cycling infrastructure, and a national conference on establishing cycling-friendly cities.
Cycle Jozi Week programme – in more detail (PDF, 57 KB)
Cycle Jozi Week programme – in more detail (MS Word, 20 KB)
City spokesperson Nkosinathi Nkabinde said Cycle Jozi Week aimed to promote the bicycle as a realistic alternative for residents and visitors wanting to get around Johannesburg without using motorised transport.
“This week-long cycling initiative comes after the two successful Freedom Rides held last year which attracted more than 5 000 riders,” Nkabinde said.
Cycling-friendly equals family-friendlyCycling-friendly equals family-friendly. Photo: www.freedomride.co.zaRecognising that non-motorised transport infrastructure is closely related to urban regeneration and development, the City is busy creating environment- and people-friendly routes that allow for pedestrian, cycle and public transport lanes, including the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is integral to these developments, supporting the necessary infrastructure build and encouraging private sector investment in selected nodes along these corridors.
The campaign will kick off on Monday, 16 March with a safety and awareness campaign at Diepsloot, during which reflective jackets will be handed out to cyclists from the area.
On Tuesday, 17 March cyclists will take to the 5-kilometre stretch of dedicated cycling lanes that were built by the JDA in Orlando, Soweto last year.
The route links residential areas with important destinations such as schools, the magistrate’s court, clinics, the Orlando Police station and Orlando Stadium, as well as Rea Vaya and Metrorail stations.
At lunch hour on Wednesday, 18 March, cyclists will take to the streets of Braamfontein, following newly constructed lanes along a corridor linking Park Station to the campuses of Wits University and the University of Johannesburg.
The JDA has earmarked R120-million for the creation of these cycle lanes, and has plans for a similar route between Park Station and Ellis Park. The agency is also busy facilitating the construction of a 5-kilometre pedestrian and cycling pathway between Alexandra and the Sandton CBD, which includes building a R130-million walking-cycling bridge over the M1 highway.
Friday, 20 March will see the launch of a “Cycle Fridays” campaign, organised by #Decongest and targeting Sandton commuters. In the evening, Critical Mass will take to the streets of the inner city.
Off-street, Cycle Jozi Week will also feature a two-day training workshop for engineers and planners, taking place at the University of Johannesburg on 18 and 19 March. International and local experts will discuss various technical, planning, designing and engineering aspects of developing a cycling-friendly city.
On Friday, 20 March the national Department of Transport and partners will host a national Cycle Cities workshop, bring cycling planners and activists together to share their knowledge and experiences. The workshop will discuss international best practice, the challenges affecting cycling in cities, and the possible development of a national Cycle Cities framework.
Finally, on Sunday, 22 March, there will be a Freedom Ride, this time between Sandton, Alexandra and Houghton and surrounding suburbs. Participants will gather at the Mushroom Farm Park on Rivonia Road. For more information on the event, including registration, visit www.freedomride.org.za or the FreedomRideJozi Facebook page.
For more information on Cycle Jozi Week, contact Thembisa Bambathi on 087 941 3497 or 073 788 6044 or visit www.freedomride.org.za.