Mutual respect between motorists and cyclists
"We have had many injuries and close shaves but we have never lost members on the road."
Edenglen Cycling Club (ECC) recently hosted the ‘walk for awareness – cyclists are people too’ mass march through Edenvale.
The march held on November 10 was organised by ECC joint chairpersons, Samantha Gailey and Kevin Gailey, and secretary, Alan Warrener and mountain bike captain, Chiara Joyce de Siena.
It was held to promote cyclist road safety, and to commemorate the deaths of club members, Wayne Peterson (49) and Joseph Greenan (75).
The march saw community members set off from the Edenvale’s SA Revenue Service (Sars), and walk through Edenvale to the corner Van Riebeeck Avenue and Horwood Street.
At the intersection, demonstrators stood peacefully displaying to motorists personalised homemade placards.
Some of the placard messages read as follows: “We are people too;” “I am a mom;” “I am a teacher;” “I am a cycling accident survivor.”
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Afterwards, the group returned to the Edenvale Sars from where they dispersed.
Samantha said the group included cyclists, runners, friends and family members.
Samantha believes the demonstration was a success, and this was because of the concerted effort displayed by the club members and sympathisers.
She said Wayne and Joseph died in separate incidents which involved vehicles in Edenvale last month.
“The details in Wayne’s case are not clear, but the accident occurred when a vehicle heading east on Harris Avenue overtook another vehicle effectively putting Wayne into the oncoming lane,” said Samantha.
“Wayne was rushed to hospital with serious injuries on the morning of October 11, and was declared brain dead on October 16.”
Joseph was killed on Herman Road when he was hit by a taxi on October 22.
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“This is the first time in the club’s history that we have had fatalities on the roads,” said Samantha.
“We have had many injuries and close shaves, but have never lost members on the road.”
Samantha said the incidents shocked the club members.
Club members felt they had an obligation to create awareness about road safety and cyclists.
“It starts by making all road users aware that everyone has a responsibility when using the road,” said Samantha.
“We all need to respect each other’s right to be there, and understand each other’s needs while on the road.”
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Samantha said driver awareness and mutual respect would help in solving the problem
According to research conducted by the club, the majority of cycling accidents occur because road users “fail to look properly”.
“We need to make motorist more aware that we are out there, in huge numbers, especially during the warmer months,” explained Samantha.
“Our roads are in such poor condition that cyclists don’t always have control over the path they take, and like motorists, we need space on the road.”
In the future, Samantha hopes to see the quality of roads improved, with wider shoulders or cycling lanes.
She said while motorist travel in strong, secure vehicles, cyclists are completely exposed and fragile.
“We have a massive cycling community in South Africa, which is active on our roads at various times of the day,” said Samantha.
“Cyclists need to be better behaved and show respect for motorists, while motorists need to understand the challenges we face out there.”
Samantha urged motorists to be aware of the cyclists and to take care when near them.
