The cycling community have reacted with shock after two riders were killed on their tandem in Isando Road, Gauteng, early on Saturday morning.
Frans Duys, owner of Tour de Frans Cycles in Boksburg, and Janine Hopkins, deputy principal of Boksburg High School, were hit by a taxi.
The tragic news was published by Stay Wider of the Rider in a social media post.
The taxi driver allegedly raced through a red traffic light.
Frans Duys and Janine Hopkins were killed on their tandem after being hit by a taxi in Isando Road, Gauteng, early on Saturday morning. Photo: Facebook/Chane van der Westhuizen
Hopkins’s niece Chane van der Westhuizen told In the Bunch that their family were “so broken, it’s heart-wrenching”.
“We will be holding a conjoined funeral for my aunt and Frankie.
“I also just want to thank every person who has shared my [Facebook] post and sent the kindest words. It’s overwhelming to see the response we got.”
In her Facebook post, Van der Westhuizen stated that that morning she received one of those phone calls that made one’s heart stop.
“I received a phone call that not only had my aunt and a family friend been hit, but they had both been killed from a taxi driver that raced across a red robot.
“I know there are people who get irritated with the cyclists, but please, cycling is a passion, a hobby, a sport, a pro-sport, an enjoyable breakaway – so much more.
“Please, all I ask is next time, when you see a cyclist, three cyclists, eight cyclists or 30, please be patient, please be careful, please know that they would do the same for you and it’s for a few hours of your day that they do their piece of what they enjoy and love.
“Look after our cyclists. You never know when you might get a phone call from one of your family members or friends like I did.”
