If Sipho Tati had it his way, the whole of Joburg would be turned into gigantic cycle lanes and bicycle riders would have the freedom of the road.
The Orlando High School-based cycling coach, bike mechanic, recycler and Qhubeka ambassador has been riding bicycles for the past 20 years and encourages families to adopt this healthier lifestyle.
“When parents bring their kids for lessons, I also encourage them to also give cycling a chance. Then I hear several weeks later that the whole family undertook a bike outing. That’s mission accomplished for me. I’m also targeting taxi drivers and encouraging them to take up cycling so that they change their behaviour on the road,” Tati said this at Innesfree Park outside Sandton during a City of Joburg and Qhubeka activation on Tuesday, 19 June 2018.
The City of Joburg’s Transport Department had earlier held a cycle lane design symposium and invited its guests to cycle over the recently opened cycle and pedestrian lane that loops over the M1 freeway and connects the bustling Alexandra with the skyscraper-dotted Sandton. Research claims 10 000 people use the bridge daily.
Last week, the Transport Department and Qhubeka, a charity organisation that distributes bicycles in impoverished communities, donated 300 bicycles to Realogile High School pupils and members of the Community Police Forum (CPF) in Alexandra.
The two boast a four-year partnership that has seen bicycles being distributed in Diepsloot, Soweto and Orange Farm, among other places. “The City of Johannesburg partnership is part of its efforts to promote a safe cycling culture in Alexandra, particularly as the walking and cycling bridge over the M1 at the Grayston offramp is now open,” said Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba, MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg.
Scores of bicycles have also been distributed to the CPF in Alexandra to help them move around, thus improving the visibility of policing. Community health workers have also received bicycles to help them visit more patients. Money for the bicycles was raised through match funding in which Qhubeka finds a company to match the amount the city contributes to the bicycle distribution programme.
“Our ongoing partnership with CoJ is part of a far-reaching bicycle programme in the region, which has included constructing bicycle lanes and funding bicycles to help schoolchildren and adults with personal transport,” said Qhubeka Executive Director Tsatsi Phaweni.
If there was a ministry of cycling in South Africa, Tati would have been the minister in charge. “Before there were cars, there we bikes. Cars found bikes but car drivers behave as if they own the road. We need to change that mindset. In Sweden, for example, motorists would rather drive over a cliff than crash into a cyclist. That’s the future I envisage for South Africa.”
Cycling enthusiasts can get in touch with Tati on the first Saturday of the month at Masemene Cycles, which stages three-hour leisurely rides around Diepkloof. He can be reached on 076 962 0436.
