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City plans new cycle route

Corobrik will be paving the way for non-motorised transport in Durban.

DURBAN has a massive cyle community and to accommodate cyclists and become a bicycle friendly city, eThekwini Municipality will be implementing a new cycle route along the lower, eastern section of the Greyville race course.

This will form part of a route that will link the Durban Botanic Gardens with Mitchell Park via Florida Road.

Corobrik’s Chris Mungle, the company tasked with building the track, explained that track between the Botanic Gardens and Mitchell Park measures 4 100 metres while the stretch between the Greyville tunnel and Argyle Road is 1 350 metres.

He said the pavers used in the construction of the cycle track did not have chamfers, they fitted snugly and, in the words of Brian Cadle, Area Project Manager for the eThekwini Municipality’s Roads Division, were therefore extremely “cycle friendly.” Cadle explained that use of abrasion and skid resistant Coroplaza and clay pavers layed in a flexible herringbone pattern provided for good ‘lock up’ and surface integrity affording a smooth surface for easier riding as bicycle tyres did not stick in the joints.

Also on the practical side, Mungle said the products required minimal maintenance and should it be necessary for them to be uplifted for maintenance of infrastructure, such as underground water pipes or electrical cables, they could be easily unzipped and re-laid again to ensure continuity and future longevity of the pavement.

The eThekwini Municipality’s Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) Plan dates back to 2010 and applies to all forms of transport that are “human powered”, including walking, cycling, animal powered transport and wheelchair travel as well as so-called small wheeled transport which includes skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand carts.

The city is promoting the use of non-motorised transport to optimise pedestrian safety and to encourage commuters to use alternative forms of transport that will not only alleviate traffic congestion during busy periods but cut the city’s CO² emissions. An added bonus is that improved facilities such as this will encourage residents to adopt health promoting recreational activities.

Central to the NMT is a network of pedestrian and cycle routes that extend from the beachfront promenade which was upgraded prior to the 2010 Soccer World Cup and extends to the green hub at the Blue Lagoon.

A cycle route that follows the Umgeni River along Riverside Road has been completed. This will ultimately traverse Burman Bush to connect to Mitchell Park. A route leading up K E Masinga (formerly Old Fort) Road towards the Botanic Gardens has also been completed. This will ultimately extend around the Greyville Race Course and connect with Mitchell Park.

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