LATEST NEWS

We try and not bombard our members with too many emails in any given year given the amount of information the modern-day human must deal with.  That said, we do feel there are some important bits of functional information which could make life slightly easier for the daily cyclists out there and hopefully prevent any misunderstanding with regards to where you can / can’t ride. I get many questions around ‘’where can I ride / where can’t I ride’’ so we thought it might be useful to update this and include in this editions newsletter. Please feel free to forward on to mates and clubs who might not be 100% clued up on all the dos and don’ts.

Also, don’t forget to renew your membership for the 2026/2027 year. Your annual R310.00 fee gets you 25% discount on the 2027 Cape Town Cycle Tour as well as some of our other well known events like the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century, the One Tonner and the Tour de PPA.  For the equlivant price of comes coffees on a group ride on any given Sunday, your support really helps us continue to do the work that we. On behalf of you!

Please ride safely. Obey the law. Respect all road users!

WHERE CAN I RIDE?

South Africa has world-class road cycling routes, ranging from steep coastal climbs to scenic rural passes. Bicycles are legally considered vehicles and share the road with cars but it is important to know where you are allowed to ride.

Winter months mean shorter days, with later dawns and earlier sunsets — meaning more riding happens in low-light conditions. Lights and reflectors are a legal requirement on bicycles — but high-visibility clothing is equally important and makes a real difference. This applies to every person on a bicycle, whether commuting to work, cycling to school, making deliveries, or riding for recreation. Understanding where cyclists are legally permitted to ride matters just as much, and applies to all cyclists regardless of purpose or experience.

As part of its ongoing Safe Cycling campaign, the PPA reminds all cyclists that knowing HOW and WHERE we can ride is a fundamental part of riding safely.

Rather than asking where we can ride – what about those roads that Cyclists are NOT permitted to cycle on? These are either  FREEWAYS or areas where Cycling Prohibited signs are displayed . Simply put, ‘freeways’ are designated as such in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. These may have different designations (N  – National, R – Provincial or M – Municipal) – but if the following signs are displayed anywhere, YOU MAY NOT CYCLE there.

You can ride on any other road where it makes sense to do so safely!!

So, what happens if you get hit by a vehicle when you are cycling on a road where you are not supposed to be?

1.       Your chances of surviving are slim and, at best, you will probably be severely injured.

2.       You are committing a traffic offence and you could be charged.

3.      Your insurances may not cover you or your bicycle.

Considering the above, it just doesn’t seem worth the risk.

What then? Where and how do we ride?

Every cyclist — commuter, recreational rider, delivery cyclist, learner — has a right to road space and a responsibility to use it lawfully. Motorists must respect that right. And cyclists, in turn, reinforce it. Only by riding where we are permitted to can we expect other road users to respect us.

Respect the laws, respect other road users: It’s a two-way street. Live to enjoy the rides!!!

Read more about the Pedal Power Association and the Bicycling Empowerment Network — and their work on safe cycling and cycling access for all — at www.pedalpower.org.za and www.ben.org.za

UPDATE ON PROSECUTIONS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

The cycling community is still trying to come to terms with the two fatal crashes along Victoria Road, Camps Bay that claimed the lives of Idries Sheriff and Landon La Grange. Idries  was struck in the early morning hours on the Day of Reconciliation by a driver in a BMW, identified as Bongani Mthethwa, who was arrested at the scene and charged with culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence. The PPA has appointed an attorney to keep a watching brief on the case. The suspect was released on R15,000 bail following his first court appearance in December 2025. The accused will appear in court again on Monday, 13 July 2026. We expect further postponements while the legal process runs its course.  .

Landon, a well-known South African cyclist and businessman from Durbanville, was hit head on by a reckless minibus taxi on Easter Monday, 6 April 2026 while riding with a group of friends between Camps Bay and Hout Bay. No charges have been made public as yet, but the taxi driver is due to make his first court appearance on Friday, 12 June 2026 . We will keep you all updated on both of these cases as everyone should be able to cycle safely, anytime, anywhere.

PPA MEMBERSHIP

PPA Memberships have now been formally opened for the 2026 / 2027 financial year! There are some great discounts on events and other deals available when you renew your membership or join.