Grassy Park receives bicyles donation
AT A time when affordable, safe and sustainable public transport is difficult to find in Cape Town, Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell yesterday handed over 20 bicycles to the Baptist Church in Grassy Park. The move is part of the department’s Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP).
The bicycles are to be kept at the church and used by various schools and community-based organisations in the area to facilitate a sustainable transport system for youngsters and the community in Grassy Park.
Mitchell said another 20 bicycles would be handed out over the next two weeks to further support the development and implementation of sustainable transport systems.
Bearfish Strategic Services public health specialist Joanne Korrigall said the organisation worked with the department to manage its inter-sectoral hot-spot response for Covid-19 and their involvement with the bicycle project came about through recognising that beyond health support there was a need for bicycles.
Korrigall said the handover yesterday was the third time bicycles had been given to qualifying community organisations and that so far 440 bicycles had been handed over.
“The PSTP is particularly focused on improving the conditions for walking and cycling, and public transport facilities.
“Within the Western Cape nonmetro areas, 35% of people walk to work … and 46% of learners walk to school,” Mitchell said.
“The project was made possible through a partnership with the Bicycle Consortium consisting of the Qhubeka Charity, Pedal Power Association and the Bicycling Empowerment Network Bikes.
Perivale Primary School principal Zaheer Jacobs said: “Our learners will be able to benefit (in using the bicycles) through physical education, partnering up with community-based projects and they will gain substantially by being physically involved in the community.”
Pastor Wayne Barros said they aimed to involve the community in future projects including establishing a basketball, soccer and hockey facility.