PRESS RELEASE 3 February 2005

CITY OF CAPE TOWN ENDORSES BIKE TO WORK DAY

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The City of Cape Town has come out in support of an initiative of the Pedal Power Association (PPA) and the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) which takes place on Friday and encourages cyclists to leave their vehicles at home and cycle to work.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, Councillor David Erleigh, and Councillor Danile Landingwe, the Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, have embraced the initiative which is a rational approach to sustainable transport.

“The Pedal Power Association supports a continued safety awareness campaign,” said Steve Hayward, vice-chairman of the Pedal Power Association.

“To this end, we try to instil responsible cycling practices in all our members. This means we do encourage them to obey all traffic regulations, and to stop at red traffic lights at all times, except during fun rides on occasions when traffic control is exerted by the traffic department.

“During PPA fun rides, several PPA marshals are used to assist with safe cycling during the event, in particular to try and keep cycling groups to the left of the centre line.

“While the wearing of helmets is compulsory during all Pedal Power Association events, many cyclists still seem to be unaware of the laws that came into effect during October 2004, which state that all cyclists need to wear a helmet while cycling on the roads,” he added.

Says Councillor Erleigh, “We call on Capetonians to enjoy the experience but to adhere to traffic rules in order to ensure the safety of all concerned. For this reason, we have circulated do’s and don’ts for cyclists to the media and traffic departments.

“We have briefed our traffic centres to ensure a safe and smooth flowing event.

“We believe that certain points have been earmarked for monitoring and have informed our staff accordingly.

“What is heartening is the fact that this exercise will make motorists as well as cyclists aware of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to sharing our roads.”

CITY OF CAPE TOWN ENDORSES BIKE TO WORK DAY

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Councillor Landingwe added that the message that there are other modes of transport makes sense if one bears in mind that about 45 000 cars with single occupancy descend on the city daily.

He added, “This also ties in with the City of Cape Town’s future strategies in terms of lanes for cyclists.”

He said, “Councillor Erleigh and I endorse this project as we are on the eve of creating a transport authority for this province.”

Andrew Wheeldon, MD of the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) is particularly excited about this collaboration. The main mission of BEN is one of poverty alleviation through the promotion of environmentally sustainable transport via the bicycle so as to enhance low-cost, non-motorised, transport and improve health through linking exercise and mobility and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Those who miss this BIKE TO WORK day should not despair, as at least one more will be organised later this year. So, keep an eye on the Pedal Power Association web site at www.pedalpower.org.za and www.benbikes.org.za be part of the action next time!

ENDS

Issued by Rosemary Hare Public Relations cc

P O Box 12521

MILL STREET

8010

On behalf of The City of Cape Town

Private Bag X9181

CAPE TOWN

8000

For further information, please contact Lisa Hayward at Rosemary Hare Public Relations on (021) 531-2166 or 082 5793793.

All news releases produced by Rosemary Hare Public Relations are available on the website www.rosehare.co.za