Johannesburg - The face of several of Joburg streets is changing - and this is puzzling motorists and pedestrians alike.
Green lanes, separated by low concrete barrier bumps, have been springing up.
Motorists, believing them to be parking spaces, are making quick use of them.
But that will soon have to change, as these are dedicated cycle and pedestrian lanes.
The Joburg Metro Police Department says the lanes have not been officially launched because they are not complete, and therefore no enforcement is yet taking place.
“Once they are complete, we will use our dedicated Rea Vaya team to do law enforcement.
“If cars are parked there, they will be towed away,” said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Over the past year, the city has been constructing dedicated routes between the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park and the university’s Doornfontein campus. This includes roads in Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Auckland Park, Melville, Brixton and Soweto.
According to city spokesman Nkosinathi Nkabinde, lighting will be improved along these lanes and importantly, CCTV cameras are being installed along them to improve safety, not only for the cyclists, but for pedestrians, residents and vehicles along these routes.
The cameras will be linked to the city’s control room and where there are infringements of the cycle route or a crime, the JMPD will dispatch an enforcement officer.
“The idea is to get people out of cars and taxis and encourage them to start cycling. This will not only improve people’s health, but will reduce pollution,” Nkabinde said.
The city is working closely with the Johannesburg Urban Cycling Association (Juca), a group that promotes city cycling and wants to make Joburg a cycle-friendly city.
Head of the organisation, David du Preez, says the new routes are welcome.
He cycles often from his home in Brixton to Braamfontein and to Maboneng.
On weekends, he doesn’t use his car at all.
“Everyone thinks I am crazy to do this in Joburg, but the lanes are well-lit and safe. The only criticism I have is that they are not wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists, but it is a start.”
He enjoys the interaction with other cyclists on the route, and with motorists, he says, adding that people often chat to him at traffic lights.
The idea of linking the universities through cycle lanes was working well, he said, with the institutions having agreed to make parking available for the bikes on their campuses.
“The more cyclists there are on the streets, the safer they will become. This can change the entire fabric of this city.
“At the moment people do not know about what these lanes are and are parking in them. But it’s a matter of education - we are placing pamphlets on these cars explaining what a cycle route is. We are also working closely with the JMPD,” he said.
Juca is also facilitating a loan scheme for people wanting to purchase bikes, which can cost anything from R700 to R1 200 for an entry-level bike.
“Another very important thing which we have to change is the ‘cool’ mindset factor.
“Most young people aspire to buying cars - we want to change that perception to make cycling cool,” he said.
There was a growing interest in cycling, with many attending events, said Du Preez. The group organises monthly events, including night rides through the city.
Juca members have tested city routes and have drawn up a map of safe routes. The map also indicates dangerous roads.
The Star