Cape Town – In an effort to inspire the use of the bicycle as a form of transportation, Langa Bicycle Hub launched its awareness campaign this weekend. Joined by taxi drivers, cycling organizations and teams from different communities, the cycling fanatics rode their bikes and shared ideas for developing cycling in Langa.

Langa Bicycle Hub founder Mzikhona Mgedle said the bikes were easy to use and brought many benefits at the individual and community level, in terms of health and the environment.

“We want to see them integrated as a means of transport. Over the weekend, we chatted with the drivers and managers at the local taxi rank to discuss how we can better share the road and keep everyone safe.

“In the long term, we hope to see cycle paths in Langa and ways to promote their use for economic activities, such as deliveries and informal trade. We currently offer cycling courses, especially for women and children, bicycle repair and delivery – where we deliver food to bedridden people – and for security patrols, ”he said.

Mgedle said they hope to build strong relationships with many motorists, especially the taxi drivers they share the road with. He said their end goal was to raise awareness of commuter cycling, where people used bikes for long distances to work.

“We also shared information on how we can advocate for cycling and raise awareness and raise awareness of safe driving, and use the bicycle as a mode of transportation, and how the government can be involved in various ways, such as the creation of cycle paths.

“Bicycles already occupy space with or without the law, children put themselves in danger, ride bikes that are not roadworthy, navigate the roads without knowledge or information.

“It’s a question of acting, where the law must participate. This will allow the government to provide more cycle paths and build roads that do not only accommodate cars, ”he said.

Siwe Ntombela, South African Cities Network, said: “Too often we hear negative stories about the cities in our country and we have gotten used to them. The reality is that many people work hard to build the community in which they live. That is why we support the work of the Langa Bicycle Hub.

“This weekend, we were inspired to see that they are working with others to promote not only bicycles, but also the ways in which people can share space, increase safety and create synergies for a positive change in Langa ”.

Public space advocate and co-founder of Open Streets Cape Town, Marcela Guerrero Casas, said it was clear that bringing people together was essential for successful initiatives like the Langa Bicycle Hub.

“I am inspired by the team that makes this ‘bike house’ in Langa, but also by all the people and organizations who contribute in different ways,” she said.

Cape Argus