City introduces free cycling lessons in township
A total of 40 participants were selected and will be trained by the end of the initiative.
FOR residents living in KwaMashu’s E-section, the sight of cyclists whizzing by on GO!Durban branded bicycles will soon become a familiar sight.
This group is part of the eThekwini Municipality’s free bicycle-share pilot programme that is spearheaded by the City’s GO!Durban Cycle Academy, in partnership with Green Corridors.
The City introduced the pilot programme as an advocacy intervention to raise awareness on the benefits of cycling for recreational and socio-economic purposes.
The pilot programme for adults was introduced after the municipality successfully opened four bike parks for township children between the ages of six and 18 years old. These are in KwaDabeka, Chesterville, Inanda and KwaMashu.
“We have successfully initiated four training sessions. This is the first phase of the programme. A total of 40 participants will be selected and trained by the end of the initiative,” said the head of eThekwini’s transport authority, Thami Manyathi.
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Community members were identified through a rigorous selection process to be part of the programme. Each person received a bicycle, a helmet and a reflective safety vest for training that was conducted by experienced coaches.
The bicycles are fitted with tracking units that will enable GO!Durban to collect data that will allow for better active mobility planning by the City in the future.
“The first few sessions focused on safety on the bike and ensuring that every rider knows the rules of the road and, more importantly, the rules of cycling. We have taken the more experienced riders out on the road for a cycle through KwaMashu and they are showing huge improvement,” said Manyathi.
The long-term goal is to advance non-motorised transport alternatives as a means of transport.
“We want the programme’s participants to use their newly acquired skills for practical and recreational use. In addition, regular cycling improves their health and overall wellbeing,” he said.
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