Sharing public spaces

DEAR EDITOR — The streets of Cape Town continue to be a contentious space where integration, safety and freedom do not yet reign — but we seem to be finally gearing in the right direction. With the opening of the promenade to bicycles, skateboards and roller skates, the City of Cape Town is inviting its citizens to engage with the agenda of “open streets”, which calls for safety and freedom of movement.

It is understandable that some are sceptical that cyclists, joggers, skateboarders and dogs can all transit safely and harmoniously; after all, we haven’t had the chance to try it before.

Nevertheless, one thing is certain, our human nature is to adapt — and more activity and more people will simply lead to the reduction of speed on the promenade.

The rationale behind making the promenade more inclusive is a commendable attempt to foster the (safe and inclusive) sharing of public spaces by different groups of people. In order to build and create that type of environment, which calls for radical behaviour change, it is important to take this sort of risk.

It may sound trivial but what are cities if not people? Those of us who will be running, cycling and skating on the promenade can decide whether or not we can share this type of public space safely and constructively. The city has simply provided the opportunity to try it. It will be up to us.