Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Burry Stander’s legacy cycles on with initiatives
KWAZULU- NATAL cycling legend Burry Stander would have turned 30 today.
Since his death in 2013 after he was hit by a taxi on the South Coast, the Burry Stander Bike Park has been opened on the small-holding near Port Shepstone where he grew up and trained on the trails.
His mother Mandie said the Stander family no longer rode on public roads at all. “We know it is not safe.”
She and her husband Charles are still learning to cope with Burry’s death.
“I really miss Burry so, so much. Nothing will ever be the same. I think the whole family is still struggling.”
Today singer Ian Smith will entertain fans at a picnic in the park. All 150 tickets have been sold, said Mandie.
“We all love mountain biking and the idea behind the park is to give cyclists safe trails where they can ride. It is working well. We have made so many new friends, and everyone loves these trails.”
To give back to cycling, the Burry Stander Foundation started cycling- development programmes in rural areas.
“It’s amazing to see all the kids coming to the park and riding bikes. We make sure all kids feel welcome. They ride their bikes, play and we give them a meal.
“The more talented ones are in a team. They have to teach the other kids. We bought better bikes for the team and we take them to races.”
The aim is to promote not only riding but also road safety. “We hope that teaching them to ride bicycles at a young age means that one day when they are drivers, they will know why they need to have respect for all road users and notice cyclists more,” Mandie said.
The family also started the “#bikes4Burry” programme in which two schools are involved.
“We gave them bikes, helmets and equipment. We interact with them on a regular basis. They cycle in school time but also have to learn how to maintain the bicycles.”
The driver of the taxi that hit Burry, Njabulo Nyawose, was found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to six years in jail, half suspended.