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Blame game not good enough
Cape Town has just hosted the largest timed cycling event in the world. The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour again has attracted more than 35 000 cyclist from around the world. In what has become an all too familiar pattern, the run-up to the event was marred by incidents of cyclists being killed or seriously injured while preparing for the race – at times with highly emotional attacks on motorists for allegedly showing complete disregard for the safety of cyclists. But are cyclists themselves completely blameless? And is the traffic infrastructure of South African cities suitable for the extensive presence of cyclists on our roads?
It has become customary that, particularly the roads in and around Cape Town in the months leading up to the Argus, are swarming with cyclists at times, often in large groups of two or three riding next to one another. Accidents, often fatal, involving cyclists has become a regular feature in the news during this period.
The most prominent incident this year, however, took place some distance away from Cape Town where three cyclists practising for the Cape Argus/Pick n Pay Cycle Tour were killed on the R62 outside Oudtshoorn when a car tried to overtake a truck and in the process knocked them down. It was the fifth incident in two months in which cyclists had been knocked down.
This latest incident led to an emotional outburst from the Western Cape MEC for Transport Robin Carlisle, himself a cyclist, accusing motorists in general of disregard for the safety of cyclists and threatening that “we (the Provincial government) will make it safe; and if we have to get rough with motorised transport to understand that the roads are for both, we will get rough with them.”
However, his colleague for Community Safety Lennit Max took a more sober approach and said there was no need to point fingers in this case until the facts had been established.
“If laws prescribe certain actions to be complied with, you better do that. Otherwise you face the consequences. We will not be judgmental in this case; the law must take its course. The outcome of the investigation will determine who was at fault,” said Max.
That there is more than one side to this sad state of affairs is well illustrated by an accident late last year on a back road in the Stellenbosch district, involving a group of cyclists. According to reports, the driver of a vehicle, coming around a sharp bend on the narrow road, found himself immediately behind a group of cyclists riding next to one another. Swerving to avoid the cyclists, he collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
The three people on their way to work died. The cyclists stopped only briefly before continuing on their early-morning joy ride.
Against the backdrop of this year’s spike in cycle-related accidents, angry voices have been raised about unfulfilled promises that safe, dedicated cycle paths will be made available in the city. The first 16-kilometre dedicated cycle lane along the West Coast Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) corridor will come available only toward the end of 2010.
A key feature of the new IRT system is the network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian pathways around the main bus trunk routes. The West Coast IRT starter service features a smooth three-metre wide tarred cycle path running along its entire 16km length from the city centre to the middle of Blouberg.
In the interim, all would do well to study the safety tips on the website of Cycling South Africa at http://cms.cyclingsa.com/safety which, beside the usual guidelines such as “always wear a helmet”, include items such as:
• Obey the traffic rules: Most cyclists are killed riding on the wrong side of the road or because they were not visible. Always have a steady white light on the front of your bike and a flashing red rear light between sunrise and sunset, and wear reflective kit.
• Always stop at red traffic lights and all stop streets. And even if the light is green for you to cross an intersection, look out for motorists jumping the lights. Watch out for other road users at stop streets. Even if you are continuing straight at a T-junction stop street, there may be horse riders or people walking dogs in the area, and by not stopping, you could cause an accident.
• Ride in single file, unless you are overtaking.
• Ride defensively but decisively: Follow the K53 principles and keep a clear space around you. Make it easy for a driver to anticipate what you are going to do (e.g. stopping your bicycle, turning left or right, etc.) so that he/she can act accordingly. Ride in a straight line without swerving unnecessarily from side to side.
• Use lights (a steady white light in front and a flashing red light at the back) if you ride in the dark, dawn or dusk. In fact, consider having a flashing red rear light at all times, even in the middle of the day.
• Do not use an iPod or cellphone while riding! You need to be able to hear approaching traffic, or other cyclists who may be warning you about a problem. You cannot do so if you are listening to an iPod! Be sensible, and leave the iPod for the gym.
• Where should you rather not ride? Narrow, twisty roads without a yellow lane (road shoulder) often pose problems for cyclists because cars battle to pass cyclists and, when there is not enough space, ‘squeeze’ the cyclists off the road. If such a road is part of your day-to-day commuting road, take extra care and ensure you wear highly visible clothing. If you have a choice, rather choose an alternative, safer road. *Examples of the above roads include Constantia Nek into Hout Bay; Rhodes Drive (Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch); Newlands Avenue (Kirstenbosch to the M3); and Main Road Kalk Bay. If you do have to use these roads, try to do so outside peak hours, and at all times ride in single file
At the end of the safety section, the site carries the following general advice: “The British Department of Transport has an excellent web section called ‘Drive Safe, Cycle Safe’, which can be reached on http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/cyclingandmotorcycling/drivesafecyclesafe.
Some of its tips include:
What motorists would like cyclists to know:
• Motorists get upset if cyclists ride without lights at night, ignore red traffic lights or hop on and off the pavement.
• Motorists usually travel faster than cyclists and may have less time to take account of hazards.
• Motorists are made uneasy when cyclists seem hesitant, move out suddenly or wobble around potholes.
• Motorists can feel delayed by cyclists.
• Motorists do not always understand that some road surfaces, junctions or traffic conditions cause problems for cyclists.
It is clear that the blame game in which Mr Carlisle indulged can only heighten emotions and promote an us-versus-them culture between motorists and cyclists. A sober, holistic and solution-seeking approach seems to be the wiser route to follow.
