EDITOR – I refer to the tragic accident on the M4 in Durban North which resulted in the deaths of two cyclists, and offer my sincere condolences to their grieving families.
It doesn’t for one second lessen the responsibility of the errant, drunken driver but I think one must point out that it appears that those cyclists were all illegally riding on the M4. Cyclists should not be on the freeway, apparently. If that is the case, then the cycling fraternity have also a terrible tragedy to answer for.
Why were this group of cyclists on the freeway in the first place? How often had they done this before? Why were they allowed to do so? The cycling fraternity often complains (with some justification) that motorists abuse them and put them in unnecessary danger. Often, it appears, they put themselves in danger all by themselves.
If they were riding illegally on the Ruth First M4 freeway, it doesn’t lessen the drunk, speeding motorist’s responsibility (and I have nothing but contempt for him), but it does put the spotlight on something that the cycling community need to face up to and answer for. This was a needless tragedy in so many ways.
Mark Lowe
Durban
