Embracing alternative modes of transport

Speaking at the launch, Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor Parks Tau expressed his excitement and enthusiasm. “We are quite excited that we are launching this event in the cycle week,” he said.

Tau confirmed that large sections of Sandton CBD would be turned into an EcoMobile neighbourhood for the month of October.

“The idea is to envision a different type of city,” he said.

The Mayor explained that the reason for wanting to host the festival in Sandton was based on the City’s compelling history.

“When Sandton was established in 1973, it was never expected to be the economic centre of Johannesburg that it is today, or that there would be 100 000 peak hour commuter movements into Sandton, 70 percent being private vehicles,” Tau explained.

Tau advised that there would be dedicated lanes for alternative modes of transport.

“The greatest amount of public space that the municipality has invested in is on our roads, but these roads are dedicated to private car users,” he said.

“The City wants to show that an eco-mobile future is possible and that public transport such as walking and cycling can be accessible, safe and attractive,” Tau added.

Adi Enthoven who spoke on behalf of the Hollard family hoped that South Africans would unite and embrace the festival, “Cycling is a means of transport, and the festival will encourage people to see cycling as an alternative efficient and cheap means of transport,” he said.

The EcoMobility World Festival and Exhibition is a global event hosted in major international cities. “The first festival was organised in partnership with local governments and was held in Suwon, South Korea in 2013,” explained Konrad Otto-Zimmermann.

The City’s Executive Director for Transport, Lisa Seftel said, “The festival in October will also include a wide range of fun-filled activities aimed at residents and visitors to show that roads must serve entire communities rather than only private car users.”

Details: www.ecomobilityfestival.org