Cape Town Cycle Tour CEO urges better road etiquette from riders

With just over six weeks to go before the Cape Town Cycle Tour, concerns are growing about cyclist behaviour and road sharing during peak training season. 

Cape Town Cycle Tour CEO David Bellairs says frustration is rising among motorists as large groups of cyclists take to public roads, sometimes riding in unsafe and inconsiderate ways.

"I know that there is a huge amount of frustration on the road at the moment."

Bellairs explains that while most cyclists obey the rules, some are riding four or five abreast, running red lights, and effectively turning training rides into unofficial mass events. 

"There is no excuse for cyclists breaking the rules. That's unacceptable. Cyclists need to be aware of the fact that if we are going to be out there cycling, we need to be showing respect to other road users as well. 

"By the same token, there are motorists and taxis that are driving like absolute fools."

He stresses that cyclists must take responsibility for self-regulating group sizes, suggesting large groups be split into smaller batches to reduce congestion and risk.

The renewed call for road etiquette comes amid recent cyclist fatalities in Cape Town.

"The sad part is the cyclists that are causing the frustration are ultimately not the ones that are being killed."

To listen to Bellairs in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: