Johannesburg - Thousands of cyclists, including Joburg mayor Parks Tau, took to the streets for a 27km bike ride in a bid to promote an alternative form of transport in Joburg.
About 7500 cyclists gathered in the Sandton CBD yesterday morning as part of Freedom Ride, a social ride initiative by the City of Joburg in partnership with cycling organisations and activists.
The gathering travelled through several suburbs, ending the first ever Cycle Jozi Week event in Alexandra.
The week-long initiative urges people to choose cycling as an alternative mode of transport.
By doing this, traffic congestion on the city’s roads will be reduced, less carbon will be emitted from cars and people will have the opportunity to improve their fitness and lifestyle.
Freedom Ride organiser and participant Muhammed Suleman said cycling in Joburg was safe and accessible to everyone and that communities were beginning to support the idea.
He denied reports that cyclists turned away when they arrived in Alexandra, due to hazards on the road including sewage, stray dogs and potholes.
“Most of the cyclists said that they enjoyed riding through Alexandra the most, because of the community support,” he said.
Suleman said Tau did not complete the race because of a knee problem; he denied reports that Tau had fallen.
“I was very happy to see that so many Johannesburg residents came to share this special ride with us,” Tau said.
He has been instrumental in recent years in the promotion of cycling as a form of transport in the city.
The events that formed part of Cycle Jozi Week included the launch of the first Joburg commuter cycling map, and a National Cycle Cities workshop attended by several government officials and cycling stakeholders to discuss the prospects of cycling throughout the country.
The Star