Pedal power sites encourage young cyclists

CYCLING sites and various organisations are encouraging youngsters to ride bikes. Following the GO!Durban Cycle Academy launch last year, eThekwini Municipality, Durban Green Corridor and Peschl Sports Development have developed three cycling sites to equip aspiring young cyclists with a safer training environment.

The GO!Durban Cycle Academy aims to support the growing need for increased mobility, connection and dignity for residents in Durban.

Sports director, Shaun Peschl from Peschl Sports Development said the primary goal was to establish cycling interest among youngsters and offer them training which would hopefully introduce the culture of cycling within Durban communities.

This is where GO!Durban, an integrated rapid transport network, comes in with the Non-Motorised Transport system (NMT).

It is a plan to create cycle lanes and walkways in Durban that can be used effectively with the help of GO!Durban Cycle Academy.

Developments for cycling sites have taken place in Inanda, KwaDabeka, and Kwamashu.

Each site consists of bicycle tracks, storing containers, shelters and in some, vegetable gardens.

The programme for academy members include basic athlete training with mechanical and technical training.

To encourage education, the academy also offers life skills and literature classes to children which has improved learners who were previously failing. There are 500 children in the programme since 2016 with 40 per site on the academic/race programme.

The children on each site get extra school lessons, two hours on Tuesdays and four hours on Saturdays.

One of the programme beneficiaries, Lihlithemba Godlo from KwaDabeka, said her mother was reluctant to let her join the academy as it was not usual for a girl to ride a bicycle.

“My mother feared that I would get hurt, but ever since I joined, she has been supportive and I have enjoyed every cycling experience.”

In a community level, the GO!Durban cycle academy has also created employment and played an important role in keeping children focused on positive activities.

“The initiative has certainly been a good course of action especially among children as you know that there are many social negative activities that they could have been exposed to had they not join the academy,” said KwaMashu site Manager, Philani Dlomo.

With training from professionals and coaches, the academy has achieved its success through Mcedisi Mkhize, Lungani Mbambo and Kusaselihle Ngidi who have qualified for the Spur School series to be held at Bekker High School, Magaliesburg this weekend.

As Durban corridor has identified other sites that have potential as Cycle Academy sites, Peschl said one of their short-term goals was to get more young girls involved despite the community’s perception on girls/women riding bicycles.

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