The City of Cape Town has begun to extend its non-motorised transport (NMT) network which could potentially further boost cycling tourism in the province.
New pedestrian and cycling lanes were recently constructed between Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand, according to councillor Brett Herron, the City’s mayoral committee member for transport and urban development (TDA).
The City of Cape Town has begun to extend its non-motorised transport (NMT) network which could potentially further boost cycling tourism in the province. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
Just a couple of weeks ago a department of cycling tourism was launched by the Western Cape government in a bid to grow and develop the sport in the province and enhance cycling tourism.
The City’s four regions – central, north, south and east – are required to develop their own network plans and the link between Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand is part of the broader NMT plan.
Referring specifically to the Blouberg-Melkbosstrand route, Herron said it fitted into the overall objective of turning the Western Cape into a cycling hub.
“It is an attractive section. This section provides an opportunity to cycle through a proclaimed nature reserve and an opportunity to visit Blouberg, Melkbosstrand and some of the [other] beaches along the route,” he told In the Bunch today.
“This NMT facility also provides residents and visitors with an opportunity to cycle between and through the Blouberg Nature Reserve.
“An increase in cyclists along this route may very well support tourism and tourist-related outlets,” he added.
Of 26 000 households in the City which participated in a survey several years ago, up to 33 per cent of low-income residents said they used non-motorised transport to get to their respective destinations.
“The City therefore follows an integrated approach where NMT projects provide for pedestrians and cyclists alike and improve universal access in general,” Herron said.
“The City’s cycling strategy aims to increase the percentage of commuter trips made by bicycle from the current one per cent to eight per cent by 2030.”
Herron added that, following research conducted by the TDA in 2016, there was “great potential for increasing the uptake of utility cycling across all income groups for trips of 15km or less”.
“For cycling to become the norm we need a network of well-designed cycle routes and appropriate cycling infrastructure,” he said.
The NMT programme was launched in 2009 with the aim of taking a City-wide approach to providing the easiest and most convenient passage of transport throughout the district.
The prioritisation of such projects was based on NMT routes with high pedestrian and cycle use. Movement patterns and routes to the city centre, work places and public facilities, as well as to public-transport stations were also important criteria.
Cycle routes and lanes also had to be safe, secure, direct, comfortable and attractive, Herron said.
