Cycling lane to reduce east road bottle-neck
The city of Tshwane is aiming to introduce more cycle lanes in the near future, it has said.
The city of Tshwane is aiming to introduce more cycle lanes in the near future, it has said.
Roads and transport MMC Sheila Senkubuge said the project to increase dedicated cycling lanes was recently piloted in Park Street in Hatfield.
“We already have cycle lanes in Hatfield and in the Moot,” Senkubuge said.
This comes in the wake of a cycle lane being constructed as part of the R300-million upgrade of Solomon Mahlangu Drive in the east of Pretoria which is due for completion in December next year.
“This area has the highest number of bicycle users,” said Senkubuge.
“And it is no secret that we as the metro are prioritising non-motorised transport.”
Senkubuge said the metro was aiming to be in line with the global movement, working towards being a sustainable city through reducing carbon emissions.
“The purpose of having a bicycle lane in Solomon Mahlangu Drive is twofold. First, it is to promote non-motorised transport. However, in addition to that, we are trying to ensure that a large number of the people who cycled to and from work, using the road, can do so safely.”
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She said anyone travelling from Mamelodi towards the suburbs in the east would know that there was a large number of cyclists using the road.
“However, there is no space on the road and we have found that cyclists don’t have proper access to the road because of motorists.”
Senkubuge described the planned lane as “very necessary”.
“We are very happy to be able to provide this much-needed lane,” he said.
She said that construction on the upgrade project had just started and would take “some time” before completion.
She said the city was looking forward to alleviating traffic woes for the east communities through the upgrade.
“Cyclists and motorists will now enjoy safer trips on the road.”
Senkubuge said the metro would also work with law enforcement to ensure safety in the area so cyclists were not targeted by criminals.
The Gauteng department of roads and transport’s project to upgrade Road K69 (Solomon Mahlangu Drive – phase 1) officially kicked off in September.
“Once completed, it will have a great impact on the economy of the east of Pretoria,” said Gauteng public transport and roads infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo at the project’s launch.
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“It will make the movement of people and goods much easier and will drastically reduce congestion.”
The road has been experiencing high volumes of traffic, especially during peak hours.
The project was expected to reduce congestion and travel times between Mamelodi and the N4.
Mamabolo said the project would provide an improved dual carriageway resulting in fewer accidents.
Road K69 stretches almost 12km between Lynnwood and Mamelodi, linking Lynnwood Road to K54 in Mamelodi.
“We urge motorists and residents to please exercise patience during the construction phase as it will cause disruptions, please allow for extra travel time.”
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