On Friday, 14 August 2020, a hundred black and yellow bicycles were handed over to SAPS, the Overstrand Municipality and four local Department of Community Safety (DOCS) accredited Neighbourhood Watches as part of the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP).
The PSTP is run by the Department of Transport and Public Works in collaboration with DOCS as well as the Bicycle Mobility Consortium made up by the Pedal Power Association (PPA), Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) and Qhubeka Charity.
At the handover ceremony, OnVerWag Neighbourhood Watch in Onrus/Vermont received eight bicycles, five bicycles went to Pearly Beach NHW, five to Franskraal NHW and Zwelihle NHW received ten bicycles to improve safety and to aid them in their crime-fighting efforts.
The police stations of Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus and Kleinmond received four bicycles per station while Overstrand Municipality’s Law Enforcement Department, Traffic Department, Fire Department and Environmental Department received 15 bicycles each to assist in providing additional security services to the local community.
Recipients also received a bicycle helmet a lock, pump, tyre puncture repair kit and bicycle spanner, which will help them to keep their bicycles safe and well-maintained, as well as a basic bicycle safety guide and maintenance guide.
The bicycles are built to carry up to 250kg in total (with the carrier rack able to carry 100kg) and are made from heavy gauge steel tubing for durability.
A bicycle is an accessible, reliable, affordable means of personal transport and can help people to get where they need to go; whether it is to schools, clinics or to their job. It also encourages active lifestyles.
“It’s not about simply delivering bicycles to people – it takes into account the full picture of creating a bicycle culture, helping people improve their access to education and employment opportunities, and moving people forward using bicycles as a tool for success,” explained Tim Mosdell, CEO of Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN).
He added that school children in Overstrand will also receive bicycles as part of this same initiative once COVID-19 lockdown circumstances are levelled out.
Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, thanked the consortium and said the bicycles will be put to good use. “We wish all the cyclists many more safe and happy journeys,” he said.
