Hundreds of cyclists take part in awareness ride on Durban promenade

HUNDREDS of cyclists from various clubs around KZN took part in the Pedal Power Association’s (PPA) Stay Wide of the Rider Campaign cycle on Saturday focused on promoting a safe passing distance of 1.5m between vehicles and cyclists.

The PPA hosts two campaign rides in Durban annually, one before the Tour Durban and other before the Amashova to bring awareness to the dangers cyclists face on the roads.

Cyclists, mostly clad in yellow cycled on the Durban promenade and were supported by members of Metro Police who enforced the route.

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Durban North resident and member of the eThekwini Cycle Safe Forum, Aroon Patel explained what the ride was all about.

“With most of the riders in the PPA colours (yellow), I think we were a moving billboard on the promenade promoting safer cycling and highlighting the dangers cyclists face on a regular basis. The ride also happened to coincide with transport month and it was great to have the eThekwini Municipality’s backing for the ride.

“We would love to see more collaborations like this in the future. While there was an awareness factor, the ride was also a chance to reflect on the riders we’ve tragically lost in accidents over the years. We had the Kings Park Cycling Club at the head of the ride, paying tribute to Richard da Silva (46), Jared Dwyer (36) who were killed in 2016 and our club, Cycle Specialists Cycling Club were at the rear of the mass ride honouring our member, Craig Diedericks (52) who died at the beginning of this year,” he explained.

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