You will be fined for parking in green cycle lanes
The feud between cyclists and motorists has been an ongoing affair for what feels like decades. The cyclists have had enough of motorists parking on the demarcated cycling lanes!
Transport for Cape Town has spent around R300 million on non-motorised transport projects over the past five years. Cycling lanes and walking paths have been installed to create a universally accessible, cycle-friendly city.
CCID reports that due to the city roads having become heavily congested, the purpose of this strategy is to lure motorists away from private vehicles and to convince them to rather cycle or walk to where they need to be when it is practical to do so. The only sustainable way to reduce congestion is to reduce the number of vehicle trips on our roads.
But motorists are parking or driving in the green lanes that are for the exclusive use of cyclists. Steps will be taken during the course of the next few weeks to address the lawlessness and general disregard along cycle lanes including those within the CBD and in Salt River.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron, says, “he more cyclists who make use of the cycling lanes that are being provided by the City, the better the chances are that cycling will become an accepted norm – and not the exception – of transport in Cape Town for visitors and residents alike. This will create awareness among other road users, and motorists in particular, that cyclists are also rightful road users and not a nuisance. It has become clear, however, that the City will have to step in to improve cyclists’ safety along the cycle lanes. As such, we will be implementing some measures to ensure that motorists stay out of the green cycle lanes at all times.”
“Drivers who double-park and obstruct the cycle lane can be towed away in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. The City’s Traffic Service will assist as a matter of urgency in towing away any vehicle that is parked in the cycle lanes along Albert Road and along the streets in the Cape Town CBD. Apart from having to pay a release fee for the impounded vehicle, the owner of the vehicle will be fined as well.”
But like Herron adds, cyclist’s will also need to assist with this campaign. They need to be the city’s eyes and ears on the road and to report any transgressors to the City.
Cyclists wishing to report any illegal activity on the cycle lane may do so to the Safety and Security Directorate on 021 596 1999. Cyclists can also report transgressors to the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63.
Source and image source: The Cape Town Central City Improvement District