Cycling safety campaign off to exciting start

WINDHOEK-SPORT REPORTER The Cycling Safety Campaign, which is sponsored by The Namibian newspaper and spearheaded by the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF), got off to an exciting start on May 17 with Cycle to Work Day. Beyond all expectations some 200 cyclists cycled to work and school in Windhoek, making their way through busy morning traffic safely. This fun event foreshadowed a time when many more people will use a bicycle to go about their daily basis. Namibia's growing urban areas just cannot cope with any more cars, with Windhoek alone predicted to reach a population of 750 000 by 2030 - doubling the number of people using our streets for transport every day. Many of these daily trips cover short distances and could be made by bicycles, which require far less road space and could thus reduce road congestion. Plans such as the Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan for Windhoek - a model that will be allowed in other urban areas - already makes provision for non-motorised transport. The NCF, which represents cyclists across the country, expressed its profound thanks to the main sponsor of the May 17 event, as well as members of the City Police, some of whom escorted the ride on their bicycles. Many cycling celebrities, including the Physically Active Youth cycling team, the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN), GIZ and the Gobabis cyclists, who got up at 03:00, to join the festivities, also supported the event. Gazza and Balbina Pienaar, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, were also there on their bikes to champion the cause. Special thanks were also reserved for Gerrit van Schalkwyk, who was the main organiser of the event. "Our action to popularise cycling can only succeed if there is mutual respect between cyclists and the drivers of all motor vehicles. We all have to be considerate of one another in the road and follow the law. Safety measures such as allowing enough space for cyclists and the wearing of helmets must be observed," said NCF president Mannie Heymans in a statement, before adding that the organisation will be intensifying its efforts with some more fun events for cyclists in the pipeline.