Sharing Joburg’s roads should mean watching out for cyclists — not dodging them

Dear Joburg cyclists,

Let me start this letter by saying how impressed I am by the size of your calves. I always notice the good shape that many of you are in because I started lifting weights a year ago, and I now appreciate how much effort it takes to get strong and toned, and your calves are just beautiful.

There, have I buttered you up enough to get down and dirty now? I hope so.

I actually don’t want to get down and dirty (whatever that means), but I do want you to know that I don’t despise you, that I believe we should share our roads and parks with you, and that I even have friends and family who are cyclists.

However, as much as I worry about your welfare, and I do, I don’t think you worry about my welfare when I’m driving, or when I’m walking in one of the parks that we share.

I have two small issues that I’m hoping you will consider so that we can make an attempt at a somewhat harmonious coexistence. 

Issue No 1:

When I’m driving to the gym very early in the morning, some of you are cycling four and five abreast and that means I can’t safely overtake you when there is oncoming traffic because you’re taking up the entire lane. Can you please ride no more than two abreast so that I can zip past you to get to the gym on time? 

In exchange, I, as a considerate driver of a double-cab bakkie, will ensure that there is always enough space between us when I do overtake you.

Issue No 2:

When you’re cycling past pedestrians on walking pathways in any park, particularly Emmarentia Dam, the rose garden and the dog park, can you please shout “on your left” or “on your right” when you overtake us? 

Most of you on the expensive bikes don’t have bells, and there’s little warning when you zoom past people on the walking paths. A few times, cyclists at Emmarentia have come very close to knocking into my 78-year-old mom and she is now so terrified of you guys that she doesn’t want to walk at Emmarentia any more.

I’m not saying that all of you ride around like uncivilised hooligans who delight in scaring senior citizens, but some of you do and it’s not cool. In exchange, when you shout to tell us the direction you’re going to be zooming past, we’ll ensure that we create some space for you to overtake safely.

Again, I’m writing this not because I despise you, but because I’m concerned for your safety and mine (and my mom’s). I want us all to be able to enjoy this beautiful city of ours in a slightly more considerate manner.

In the spirit of reciprocity, if you’re a cyclist and you would like us to be aware of any issues, please email your thoughts to joburg@dailymaverick.co.za.

Best,

Sukasha Singh. DM