Better to keep Joburg cycle lanes - Parks Tau

Former Joburg mayor Parks Tau believes his successor Herman Mashaba is making a mistake by halting the construction of a R70m cycle lane project.

Johannesburg - Former mayor Parks Tau believes his successor Herman Mashaba has taken a short-term view on mobility in Joburg by putting a stop to the construction of the R70 million cycle lanes.

In a shock move during his acceptance speech on Tuesday, Mashaba announced that the R70 million budgeted on bicycle lanes would not go ahead.

It was fTau's dream to establish bicycle lanes around the city to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and to get people fit.

“When every road in Joburg is tarred, then maybe the city will again look at bicycle lanes,” Mashaba said on Tuesday.

But Tau told The Star on Wednesday that there was consensus universally for the need to improve non-motorised mobility. This was confirmed and reaffirmed by the huge success of the Ecomobility Month held in Sandton last year.

“There will be further discussions on this. The budget for the lanes has been approved and there have been no amendments, so they will be continuing. Also, for example, they are under construction in Alexandra and the work cannot be stopped at this late stage,” he said.

There were 10 000 people a day travelling between Sandton and Alex at peak hours who use taxis and other transport. But when the new pedestrian bridge over the M1 was completed, people would be able to walk or cycle there, saving thousands of rand in transport costs, he said.

In 2014, Tau announced that “within a few years, Joburgers would be able to cycle or walk from Sandton to Alexandra, from Orlando to Noordgesig and from Rosebank toSandton through Melrose Arch or Parkview”.

These lanes were intended to alter the mindsets of people to get them out of their cars and to get fit.

“It was also part of our complete streets concept, which allows easy accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, and promotes public transport.”

The complete streets also involved new signage, lighting, street furniture, benches, proper pavements and cycling links to Rea Vaya stations to encourage the use of outdoor areas, business, entertainment and shopping nodes.

Tau added that cycling was especially beneficial for low-income earners, pupils and students. It also decreased greenhouse gas emissions and resulted in healthier populations and better lifestyles.

Already there were established lanes along the Empire-Perth corridor that were well used, especially by students.

anna.cox@inl.co.za

@annacox

The Star