North Durban cyclists urged to be cautious as traffic increases

AS millions of South Africans returned to work this week due to the easing of lockdown restrictions (level 3), traffic levels around the country also picked up significantly. In the days leading up to the lowering of the alert level, residents and cyclists in particular in the north Durban area had noticed an increase in traffic along various roads in the area.

The president of KwaZulu-Natal cycling and an ambassador for the Pedal Power Association have urged cyclists to be especially cautious after an accident on Umhlanga Rocks Drive last week involving a bus and a cyclist.

While the incident is under investigation, it is believed a cyclist who was riding south on the Umhlanga Rocks Drive collided with a bus turning into Margaret Maytom Avenue. While the rider escaped life threatening injuries, cyclists are being urged to be wary of the increase in traffic on the roads.

Durban North resident, Aroon Patel and ambassador for the Pedal Power Association (PPA) said while he and other riders were not overly anxious about more traffic, he was urging an extra level of caution.

“Cyclists within our club have already remarked on the increase in traffic levels leading up to level 3 and we’d certainly seen that between 6am and 9am where we allowed to exercise. So while we aren’t overly anxious we are very aware of managing the risks and being cautious on the roads. We’ve identified certain routes in the area that we won’t be cycling on because there is more traffic so we urge fellow cyclists and clubs to do the same. The PPA’s ‘Stay Wider of the Rider’ campaign is a vital tool in all of this and urges motorists and cyclists to share the roads safely,” he explained.

Patel, who is also convener of the eThekwini Cycle Safe Forum said he would like to engage with bus companies to increase awareness following the incident.

“There was an incident last year which involved a bus and a Durban North cyclist who was injured in an incident and at the time I reached out to the company in question and there was a willingness to engage. I do feel what needs to happen is we need to educate and increase awareness for bus drivers,” he said.

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