Yesterday I read the below article on iol.co.za, let me not even start on how ridicules it is that Provincial Premier Zweli Mkhize find himself to important to cycle, no what really disturbed me is that my commenting on the positive aspects of cycling were met with gloom and doom. I cannot help think maybe it is me that is wrong and it is a suicide run to cycle on the South African roads(???? thinking about it for a minute) Naah it is definitely everybody else that refuse to see logic and are going to be proved wrong in their paranoia.
"Cycle to work: Mkhize
PROVINCIAL Premier Zweli Mkhize says he is all in favour of people riding bicycles to work to reduce the volume of greenhouse gases in KwaZulu-Natal, but he feels that the concept of MECs cycling to the legislature is probably a bit “utopian”.
On the final day of the provincial climate change summit in Durban yesterday, a delegate voiced concern about the volume of climate-warming gases belching from the exhaust pipes of thousands of private vehicles.
“We are being encouraged to use public transport, to cycle or to walk to work, so all those people who are driving big 4x4s should be embarrassed about their contributions to climate change.
“Perhaps our ministers should also be going to work on bicycles,” he suggested amid laughter and applause.
Mkhize did not respond directly, but during a press briefing later, he was asked if he and fellow MECs were willing to set an example by cycling to work.
Mkhize smiled politely and responded: “We will consider it...”
He then noted that there were certain practicalities to be considered such as long distances and the need for public representatives to be punctual.
“For short distances, cycling is to be encouraged, especially from the point of view of fighting obesity and raising fitness levels.”
However, the notion of “ministerial convoys on bicycles” seemed unlikely.
Mike Mabuyakhulu, MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism, also did not commit himself to the idea of pedalling, but noted that a lot of work was in progress to develop “zero-emission” electric cars.
“As much as we support non-motorised transport, we really must go towards electrical cars. It is an area we are looking at very closely.”
At the end of the summit, Mkhize announced that the provincial cabinet was committed to establishing a provincial climate change council. It would be chaired by the premier and would include a wide range of stakeholders including MECs, heads of departments, mayors, academics, business, non-government groups, traditional and church leaders.
The council would meet at least twice a year and be modelled along the lines of the Provincial Aids Council.
Its main task would be to finalise and implement a new KZN climate action plan and serve as a provincial platform to ensure regular dialogue and consultation on climate change issues, policies, plans and projects. - The Mercury"
September 28 2011 at 10:53am
By Tony Carnie
By Tony Carnie
And then the commentary:
Sinies, wrote 05:27pm on 29 September 2011
Please go ahead and set the example!
Meanleader, wrote 04:29pm on 29 September 2011
@Sarah ...SA is not London ....in London you have traffic police , law and order , and cars that actually stop at red lights . Riding a bicycle in SA is suicide . Until the government hires just ONE HONEST MINISTER , and removes ALL TAXI'S from the road , cycling will remain a daredevils game !!! What a complete jike by the minister ...I think he was having a laugh !!
Anonymous, wrote
prepare the coffins and the hospitals this is the best way to get killed or maimed but of course you will keep your car???
Cycling Sarah, wrote 02:50pm on 28 September 2011
@Sbu, you just proved my point, the mentioned cities are not like cities in S.A. because there are way to many cars on the roads. The only way to get livable cities are to get more cycles on the road. And I do cycle everyday in Cape Town, on the road with all the taxies and I am still a live to tell the tale. To make S.A. a truly wonderful plase to live we need to put away all these negative thoughts and make it the best plase on earth, and this is in part done by cycling.
Sbu, wrote 01:38pm on 28 September 2011
@Cycling Sarah. Taxi's are mowing down people and if you think SA is like London, Copenhagan and New York, you are definitely on another planet. We all know it is cheap and fast, if you are living in Northcliff and work in Cresta... why dont you go and have a cup of coffee to get your mind around this for a sec..
Cycling Sarah, wrote 01:13pm on 28 September 2011
Why is S.A. so behind in the internetional cycling trend, come on people, these days everybody cycles. In Paris, in London, in Copenhagen, in Amsterdam, in New York, in Washington, in Sydney... I could go on. Please S.A. open your eyes and see what a wonderful mode of transportation cycling is. It is cheap and fast, You wil never have to wait in a traffic line, saving lots of time, and if you live fare from your work, combine cycling with trains.
K_za, wrote 11:01am on 28 September 2011
Make the roads safe and maybe more would do so. Your chances of being taken out by a taxi or pothole are just too great!
All very interesting, it really does seem that if you are crazy enough to cycle in South Africa then at least you should have the decency to buy your coffin first!!
