Pedal Power outside court where motorist appears for death of cyclist
Benonian Dawn Burnett, a founding member of Stop Killing Cyclists SA Org, lost her life partner, Janine Hopkins, when a taxi hit her and cycling partner Frans Duys, in Isando, on November 30, last year
The Pedal Power Association, one of South Africa’s largest cycling organisations, supports the actions of the group known as Stop Killing Cyclists SA Org, which staged a silent protest outside the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on July 29.
This was in protest against the senseless deaths of cyclists on South African roads.
A motorists was granted bail of R8 000 in the court on June 15 after allegedly hitting and killing a cyclist on the pavement of Uranium Road, in Fourways, Johannesburg, on June 11.
On July 29, the accused briefly appeared in court again. The case was postponed until October 30 for further investigation.
The cyclist, 37-year-old Steve Preston, an IT executive from Johannesburg, died while trapped under the man’s BMW.
According to Sean Badenhorst, from Tread Mountain Biking, Preston’s family was fragile during the court procedure but encouraged by the magistrate’s attitude towards the case.
Benonian Dawn Burnett, a founding member of Stop Killing Cyclists SA Org, lost her life partner, Janine Hopkins, when a taxi hit her and cycling partner Frans Duys, in Isando, on November 30, last year.
She said the organisation felt they had to protest against the lack of respect for the lives of cyclists lost on our roads.
Burnett said the taxi driver who allegedly caused the accident in which Frans and Janine were killed has still not been charged.
Chairperson of PPA Steve Hayward commented that cases like these required proper investigation and harsher sentencing.
“Cyclists are children, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers to their families, friends and ordinary people. In less than 10 days two cyclists have been killed. Last week in Durban, Ralph Harris was killed when a bus collided with him along Jan Smuts Drive. The driver has been charged with reckless driving.
“Another young cyclist, Jeffrey Jantjes, was killed on Baden Powell Drive, close to Strandfontein in the Western Cape, by an 18-wheeler truck which attempted to pass without giving him sufficient space. No charge has been brought against the driver as yet, as the accident is still under investigation.
“Our condolences go out to their family and friends. Too many cyclists lose their lives on the roads in South Africa due to reckless driving or by motorists driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Hayward.
“What is also a real concern to us is the amount of time it takes for cases to get to court. Many cases are often dismissed due to lack of evidence or improper investigation.
“As an organisation that prioritises safety across all forms of cycling, with funds primarily raised from membership fees, the PPA invests millions in stakeholder engagement to educate motorists on the vulnerability of cyclists on our roads,” Hayward continued. “Every driver we influence represents a step closer to improving the safety of cyclists.”
Hayward said the risk of being killed in traffic per kilometer travelled is over four times higher for pedestrians and cyclists than for motor vehicle drivers.
“The education all road users to behave responsibly, the recognition of cycling as a key form of transport and the improvement of cycling infrastructure are all essential to improving the safety of cyclists.
“The PPA will continue to increase its efforts to promote cycling for sport, recreation and, most importantly, for commuting and to help it become part of the solution to safe and affordable travel for all our citizens,” Hayward concluded.
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