uMhlanga resident expresses excitement over launch of KwaMashu bike park
Local resident, Shaun Peschl, who is the programme director for the GO!Durban Cycle Academy, said the park features a world-class velo solutions asphalt pump track.
A ‘beacon of hope for the community’ was how uMhlanga resident, Shaun Peschl, described the opening of the GO!Durban Cycle Academy Bike Park in KwaMashu E-Section.
Peschl, who is the programme director for the academy, said the park features a world-class velo solutions asphalt pump track.
The GO!Durban Cycle Academy Programme was founded in 2016 and has grown from one site in eNanda, to include sites in KwaDabeka, Chesterville and the new park in KwaMashu.
Read also: aQuellé Tour Durban date changes to November
The programme trains around 400 youth on a weekly basis by providing free cycling training, academic support, and life skills development.
“This particular site was identified in 2019 and it was being used for illegal dumping and the municipality envisioned that this space could be a beacon of hope for the community. After an environmental assessment, we, along with various stakeholders, including Durban Green Corridor, helped mould it to what you see today. This was also designed as a safe space for youngsters from the age of six all the way to 18 to learn how to cycle and progress as quickly as possible. The hope for the new KwaMashu bike park is that it will promote a cycling culture which is in line with the City’s active mobility plan.
“We’ve got a number of coaches on site helping youngsters on their first rides or cyclists using the pump track to develop skills. It is really about empowering the youth especially as the bike park was launched during Youth month. I hope and I’m confident we will see cyclists competing on a world stage, having started their journey right here at the KwaMashu bike park. The future is bright for many of the children involved,” Peschl said.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
