Events

PPA negotiates partial opening of Chapman’s Peak for cyclists

By Press Office · 48 comments

The Pedal Power Association is committed to promote cycling and the interests of cyclists in South Africa. Through the Safe Cycling campaign, PPA aims to create an environment conducive to the safety of all cyclists on the road.

The MEC for Transport, Donald Grant, consulted earlier this week with the PPA Safe Cycling sub-committee after Chapman’s Peak Drive was closed following the extensive fires last week, with fears for the safety of the ‘vulnerable’ road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and runners from possible rock falls in this very unstable area.

The fires caused extensive damage to the mountain side on the sections to the south of the look-out. The Hout Bay side is less damaged and there is no increased safety risk.

It was initially proposed that the entire Chapman’s Peak remains closed to cyclists until full rehabilitation has taken place.

After consultation, it was agreed that only the southern side of Chapman’s Peak drive (from Noordhoek to the look-out point) will be closed to cyclists. Cyclists will therefore be able to cycle from Hout Bay to the look-out point and back, but will not be able to cycle all the way to Noordhoek until the pass is deemed safe again.

New Jersey barriers are being deployed in risk areas, particularly on the Noordhoek side, resulting in reduction of road width. “We appeal to all cyclists to heed the dangers that the southern side of Chapman’s Peak poses and to assist the authorities to keep the northern section open for cycling,” said PPA Chairman Steve Hayward.

The PPA ‘Stay Wider of the Rider’ campaign which was launched two weeks ago, urges cyclists to support safe cycling by obeying the rules of the road whilst motorists are asked to give cyclists a wide berth when passing them.

“Cyclists are now given the opportunity to prove that they too can obey the rules of the road by accepting the temporary closure of the southern side of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Become responsible cyclists, spread the word amongst other cyclists to obey the rules of the road and please do not cycle on this stretch of road which can potentially be fatal,” Hayward said.

*Currently the Tokai bike route is also closed

Comments

Reg Lizard

Mar 14, 2015, 2:49 PM

Yes PGWC will be liable for any claims if something does happen...thats why they took that decision!

porqui

Mar 14, 2015, 3:22 PM

Yes PGWC will be liable for any claims if something does happen...thats why they took that decision!

 

And they would be exempt from damage to motorists and busses etc???!!

Reg Lizard

Mar 14, 2015, 4:11 PM

Maybe its because the cyclist gave them the finger the other day!

Pure Savage

Mar 15, 2015, 11:08 AM

There were rock falls on chappies this morning. Car was lucky they were under that road thing when it came down.

Christine Cozien

Mar 17, 2015, 5:11 PM

What if your only transport to work is on a bike? You must now climb constania nek and ou Kaapse weg? When we train there in the morning we see a lot of people that can not afford to jump in a car and go through chappies. PPA has thought about recreational cyclists and not those that rely on it for actual bike transport.

 

How about motorists start obeying the traffic laws and not exceeding the 40km/h speed limit?

You raise a valid point regarding commuting cyclists not being considered. I am one of them, and Chappies is my shortest and most sheltered route.

 

So what happens to us now? Well, we wake up earlier and go round via other, longer routes, and have new adventures. Becuase riding a bicycle, not matter how far, is always better than sitting in traffic.

Tubehunter

Apr 8, 2015, 9:48 AM

What's the latest on this? Any updates?

Pure Savage

Apr 8, 2015, 10:10 AM

What's the latest on this? Any updates?

 

There have been rock falls, cyclists have been risking it. Nobody has been injured.

 

Everybody is too worried about land invasions and statues around Cape Town to worry about some road that has no statue on it :P

velomonatiCT

Apr 8, 2015, 10:13 AM

I would rather dodge a 1kg rock on chappies than a 10000kg truck who thinks he owns the road on ou kaapse weg, clovelly or Constantia nek !

as for PPA and Donald Grant if they had their way we would all need cycle licences and number plates so they could get our money ! :w00t: id rather be free to make my own choices !

 

I am vulnerable every time I ride my bike on lawless cape town roads !

 

Open the road for everyone or no one at all ! :thumbup:

porqui

Apr 8, 2015, 10:39 AM

Just love it - rode up Chappies and prevented from going through but as I turn a guy in a Porsch convertible (open) arrives and goes through. Btw he was not wearing a helmet.

Brickleberry

Apr 8, 2015, 11:00 AM

Amazes me to see the attitude of cyclist again. Go on, go ride your bikes there, and don't cry when the **** hits the fan. I bet all the people moaning are the same ones you will find on other threads telling us why they go through red robots.

Thomo

Apr 23, 2015, 10:18 AM

What's the latest on this? Any updates?

 

From what I've observed, south side still closed for cyclists/runners but it doesn't seem like anybody will stop you from going through. 

I'm not that "brave" so I've been turning back.

DJR

Apr 23, 2015, 10:31 AM

................

as for PPA and Donald Grant if they had their way we would all need cycle licences and number plates so they could get our money ! :w00t: id rather be free to make my own choices !

.................

You are PRECISELY the type of person the PPA is looking for at the moment. APPLY IMMEDIATELY for the position as their CEO. You owe it to yourself, to cycling, to the country and to the world. You can then fix it for yourself and for all of us. Just do it dude! :ph34r:

GoLefty!!

Apr 23, 2015, 11:37 AM

Road is open "at your own risk"

cadenceblur

Apr 23, 2015, 11:43 AM

Is this the official stance? I have been avoiding it as I haven't heard any updates since the last closure notification.

GoLefty!!

Apr 23, 2015, 11:51 AM

notice the inverted comma's.

 

not an official stance but what officials who stand on the mountain say to riders when they ask.

 

Cars, buses everything is going both ways.

DJR

Apr 23, 2015, 11:56 AM

Officially, still the same. Open for cycling / walking / running from Hout Bay side to the top lookout point.Closed for cycling running / walking from Noordhoek to the top lookout point.  Open to cars all the way and from both sides.There is a large prominent sign saying CLOSED to pedestrians and cyclists due to rock fall danger after fire. Impossible to overlook but possible to disobey as I have seen some riders do. Decide what the right thing is and do it. (I know what I do, and that is to stay out until it is officially allowed. I also stop for red traffic lights.)

cadenceblur

Apr 23, 2015, 11:57 AM

Indeed, and so do I!

GoLefty!!

Apr 23, 2015, 12:07 PM

indeed but we're 3:4,000,000

velomonatiCT

Apr 23, 2015, 12:38 PM

You are PRECISELY the type of person the PPA is looking for at the moment. APPLY IMMEDIATELY for the position as their CEO. You owe it to yourself, to cycling, to the country and to the world. You can then fix it for yourself and for all of us. Just do it dude

im taking the matter under advisement :whistling: but im happy that I can count on your vote at the next AGM :clap:  :clap: :clap:  

DJR

Apr 23, 2015, 1:48 PM

im taking the matter under advisement :whistling: but im happy that I can count on your vote at the next AGM :clap:  :clap: :clap:  

I have actually gone to some of those over the years, but I have to admit that I missed the last one because I "forgot". :blush:

GoLefty!!

Apr 23, 2015, 1:50 PM

whats the salary?

Thomo

Apr 24, 2015, 5:52 AM

indeed but we're 3:4,000,000

 

We should ride together. :thumbup:

weeclarky

Jul 25, 2015, 10:48 AM

So chappies is completely closed - anyone know why and for how long?

-Az-

Jul 25, 2015, 11:11 AM

Closed after a six ton wedge of weathered sandstone became dislodged, according to the City of Cape Town's department of transport. No news of duration.

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