Cape Cycle Tour route cuts leave cyclists undermined by Mayor

05 March 2015

COSATU calls on the City of Cape Town Council and the Mayor not to undermine the cycle tour by reducing the distance. There are many other areas of road that can be used and included to maintain the stature of the tour. The City seems to reduce the distance because they do not want to go the extra mile for the event. There are many international and upcountry cyclists here for the event and to have it cut because the City does not want to allocate other roads, is patently unfair and risks the reputation of the event.

We are calling on the City to set aside the time to draft an adequate alternative route and to make the traffic officials available to give effect to this. This kind of contingency plan should have been in place anyway as the Cape has many difficulties that could arise at any time. Many people leave the area for the Cape Cycle Tour, so including other roads would not be a difficulty.

We are calling on the City to take the advice from the cycling community in respect of alternative options for the race and to start the logistical plans sooner rather than later. The race can still easily be spread over 100 kilometres, if effective action is taken by the City.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, March 5 2015  

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