South Africa’s Pedal Power Association (PPA) and the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) have been promoting an annual “Bike to Work” day in Cape Town for a few years, and now it’s going monthly. From this month, the first Wednesday of every month is designated as “Bike to Work” day. The PPA is using the event to raise awareness of the need for more cycling facilities for commuting in the city - one of the reasons why the annual Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour was started 30 years ago. (Which, by the way, will have 35,000 riders covering 109 km of Cape Town's most scenic and mountainous roads next weekend.)
The City of Cape Town is also supporting the bike to work initiative. In 2006, Cape Town mayor Helen Zille joined in for the first time, and in 2007 Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore took part.
[Update on 3 March 2008: Critical Mass events in cities around the world see cyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters, roller skaters and unicyclists take to the streets in events designed to celebrate social interaction and "reclaim the streets". Joburg is having a Critical Mass event this Friday, 7 March that is to begin on the corner of Carr & Quinn Streets in Newtown. [via Urban Sprout]]
mmm i biked to work yesterday and it was quite fun...it took me half hour which is actually the same as driving. have been avoiding doing it because of the big hill up to UCT...and it turned out it wasnt so bad....gears are great, and you can get off and push if it gets too much.
Posted by: susan botha | 06 March 2008 at 11:18 AM
Well done in the heat, Susan. I didn't manage it yesterday, but last year I cycled 12km to work a few days a week in the months leading up to the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour. I find it's always easier when it's a regular thing - the first few times are the hardest!
Posted by: Rory | 06 March 2008 at 12:29 PM