During the past five financial years, the City of Cape Town has spent approximately R300 million on non-motorised transport (NMT) in an effort to create a universally accessible, cycle-friendly environment and a city that promotes walking to get around.
Due for completion by June this year, a new cycle lane will connect the existing Liesbeek Parkway cycle route in Observatory with the Cape Town Central City (the CBD) along Malta and Albert Roads, passing through Salt River and Woodstock. Once the cycle line is completed and weather permitting, those commuters who use the train to get to work can opt to cycle to the railway stations in Salt River and Woodstock from where they can continue their journey to the CBD.
Says Councillor Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town: “Urbanites and visitors who make use of the cycle and walking paths across the city will be pleased to know that in the next two financial years we will be spending another R150 million on footways and pedestrian bridges, lighting, cycle ways and bicycle parking, as well as design elements to promote universal access to those pedestrians who are visually impaired or using wheelchairs, among others. Keeping in mind this expenditure, our commitment and the effort we put in, Cape Town must count among one of the most cycle-friendly and pedestrian-friendly cities in South Africa.”
Winding around the trees along Liesbeek Parkway in Observatory, the new cycle lane continues across the Malta Road Bridge to Salt River and Woodstock, past the Salt River Circle and the Old Biscuit Mill, ending at the Albert and Station roads crossing.
Where the cycle lane forms part of the road, such as along Albert Road, it will be demarcated with road studs to indicate its exclusive use by cyclists. Where cyclists share the cycle lane with pedestrians, such as along Malta Road in Observatory, the lane is 3.5 metres wide instead of 1.5m. This section of the cycle lane in Observatory is also separate from the roadway.
“Apart from the cycle lane, we have improved the universal accessibility in Salt River for pedestrians who are visually impaired or moving around in wheelchairs, among which are students from the Society of the Blind in Salt River Road. We have dropped the kerbs at the intersections, improved the sidewalks with tactile and directional paving, and removed some of the obstacles along the sidewalks in Salt River Road and will be implementing the same design elements along Malta and Albert Roads as well,” says Herron.
Significant changes to the geometrics of the Salt River Circle are also underway where the number of formal pedestrian crossings is being increased from two to five, enhancing the safety of all road users at this busy intersection.
“We will also plant about 25 trees along Salt River Road and another 30 along Albert Road, beautifying this built-up area with much needed greenery and shade. A root watering system, linked to a timing device, will water the trees. A city should not only be functional, but also pleasant to work and live in,” says Herron.