Cycling lanes: we all have to adapt to changing times
THE FRONT-page story, “Business outrage over cycling lanes” (Cape Argus, July 9) refers. A lot has been said and written these past few days about the green cycle lanes in the CBD, Woodstock and Salt River. What is clear from these comments is that a mind-shift is needed by those who choose to live in a city environment.
We all have to adapt to the changing times during which a growing population is continually forcing us to share the limited space available, whether on the road or elsewhere. Non-motorised transport such as walking and cycling must be part of Cape Town’s future if we do not want our city’s roads to be in constant gridlock.
All those familiar with Cape Town will be aware of the limited availability of on-street parking across the city and in central business districts and areas in particular. This limited on-street parking is in high demand during business hours, and this is one of the reasons why the city is promoting different modes of transport such as the MyCiTi service, walking and cycling.
Creating more on-street parking is not the solution, nor is it even possible in a growing city such as Cape Town with the unique typography where we have Table Mountain on one side and the ocean on the other, as this limits the available space for expanding our road network. The only lasting and viable solution is for residents to abandon their private vehicles for public transport or to opt for walking or cycling.
What has been omitted from your front-page story is the fact that the planning and design of the cycle lane through the Woodstock and Salt River areas was informed by a public participation process during which different options for the cycle lane were identified. The options were assessed and a Class 3 cycle lane in both directions was identified as the most appropriate.
Businesses and residents who registered as interested and affected parties were consulted on this project during the design and construction phases. This consultation was undertaken over a number of months and included opportunities to comment via written correspondence and at scheduled community liaison meetings. Businesses and residents were informed of the meetings and invited to attend.
Chand Environmental Consultants was the independent public information specialist which received comments throughout the process and ensured that relevant parties of the project team responded in a timeous fashion. In addition, newsletters were sent to a registered database of individuals to ensure that the latest project information was communicated.
Business owners, interested parties and residents had ample opportunity to participate in the public participation process during which the cycle lanes were discussed and input requested. One cannot help but question whether those who are complaining now took the opportunity to supply their written comments to the city during the public participation process.
In the end, the number of lanes where we have the parking reduction was kept to the bare minimum. It must be mentioned that cycling is also a legitimate and equal demand on the road space. Motorists and businesses need to be willing to share the space with cyclists.
To assist with the complaint about unsafe parking, the city can look into implementing managed on-street parking in the area. This would ensure parking bay turnover and place parking payment marshals on the streets, which will provide some surveillance, as it does in other parts of the city.
I call on business owners, as people with some influence, to please get behind the city’s efforts to address traffic congestion and mobility in a sustainable way and to find a way to be part of the solution.