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Durban Cyclists : A call to action

Durban Cyclists : A call to action

Date: 2019-04-19

The Pedal Power Association (PPA) is organising a series of safety awareness events in Durban and is calling on all local cyclists to participate.

"Too many lives have been lost and something needs to be done," says Robert Vogel, CEO of the PPA, South Africa's largest cycling organisation. As a result, his organisation will be hosting an:

A 25km awareness ride will take place on Saturday, 27 April, starting at 6h00 from Cycle Lab Cornubia Mall that will see riders cycle to Umhlanga Ridge and back.

Taking place the day before the popular aQuelle Tour Durban, the ride will focus attention on the dangers faced by the many cyclists who use the roads in Durban.

There will also be a silent protest outside the Verulam court on Monday, 29 April as the PPA asks for justice after the death of cyclist Craig Diedericks earlier this year. Craig was one of seven Cycle Specialists Cycling Club riders out cycling along the M4 Ruth First Highway on Sunday morning, 10 January. A taxi hit into three of the riders just before the M27 Umdhloti off-ramp and tragically, Craig lost his life, whilst the other two riders were treated for injuries. The driver was charged with culpable homicide

"We are calling on the local authorities to take action in order to prevent further accidents from happening and to avoid any more fatalities," says Robert Vogel. "Motorists must also accept that cyclists have full and equal rights to share the road. As long as motorist see cyclists as a nuisance on the road, cyclists will be killed. Drivers need to make the same decisions when passing a cyclist, as they do when preparing to pass a motor vehicle."

What vehicle drivers inexplicably seem to forget is how vulnerable cyclists are on compared to a motorist. Cyclists aren't always in the right but in any confrontation with a vehicle they are significantly more vulnerable to injury. Through these safe cycling awareness events, the PPA is asking motorists to please give cyclists the space they need to use the roads safely.

"Cyclists are contributing members of this community, we are people with families, and all we ask for is the authorities consideration and attention in addressing the issues that so tragically impact the South African cycling community," he concluded.