A Cape Town cyclist has warned people to be careful when cycling in the vicinity of Newmarket Street after he was violently attacked and robbed. 

William Ferris (63) from Kenilworth has since called for the City of Cape Town to install lighting and a security camera in the area as a safety measure following his attack on October 24. 

“I was cycling through central Cape Town on my way to Cape Point. I have done this often, using the route down Lower Main Road (R102), avoiding the Woodstock bridge as I know this is not safe and then on towards The Castle,” says Ferris. 

He explains that as he passed under the N2 bridge on Newmarket Street, he was attacked by two men. 

Pinned to the ground 

“I was riding at about 32 to 35km/h. They ran from the side of the road and pushed me off my bike and I crashed. There was a subsequent violent struggle and one of the men pinned me to the ground by strangling me. 

“My sight started to go black, but I managed to shout for help. A taxi stopped on the other side of the road and the occupants came to my aid. 
 
“I remember thinking this is not a place to die, under a bridge,” says Ferris. 

His attackers took his phone and ran off through a gap in the fence of the railway siding. 

“I was pretty beaten up from the crash and struggle, but I managed to get back on my bike and flag down a security van. The patrolman guided me to the police station where I reported the crime.” 

Ferris adds that he is still very bruised and sore from the attack. 

“I had suffered a massive haematoma on my right glute, abrasions on my right leg and shoulder and a very painful and immobile neck. My expensive cycling kit was torn, and my high-end racing bike was damaged. Luckily, the bike was not stolen and I managed to stop any financial transactions from my stolen phone.” 

Other incidents 

Ferris says that after his incident, he was informed that several other attacks on cyclists had occurred at the same spot, or near the Woodstock bridge that goes over the N1 (FW de Klerk Boulevard), on the same day. 

“I have regularly cycled along Newmarket Street and through central Cape Town for the past 30 years. This is the normal route for both commuters and recreational cyclists and has previously been seen as safe, but this is no longer the case.” 

He adds that these attacks stop cyclists from using public roads and, consequently, impinge on their basic constitutional right to freedom. 

“If a security camera and light are placed under the bridge where I was attacked, this should stop any similar incidents there and go some way to help the Cape Town City Council promote safe commuting by bicycle.” 

Ferris has reported the incident to FF+ councillor Emre Uygun. 

“I have escalated the matter via email to the city’s safety and security directorate, as well as the urban mobility directorate, requesting that the area be assessed and that appropriate safety measures be considered,” says Uygun. 

‘Not a new problem’ 

He adds that this was not a ‘new problem’. 

“There have been multiple reported attacks at this spot over the years. It is concerning that these attacks on our cyclists continue to occur despite the history of reported incidents. Still, I will continue pushing for intervention from both police and the city,” says Uygun. 

Attacks on cyclists a reality  

City of Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says attacks on cyclists are unfortunately a reality and could happen throughout the metropole.  

“Opportunistic criminals often move from one area to another. Although the city’s enforcement agencies conduct daily patrols, it is not possible for officers to remain static at a particular spot.”  

He says law enforcement officers will prioritise the area during daily patrols and liaise with the CBD’s central improvement district officers, while police are the primary crime prevention authority.  

Dyason urges the public to report criminal activities and emergencies to the public emergency communication centre on 021 480 7700, or log by-law and traffic-related complaints using the safety and security feature on the city’s app. 

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk says they are investigating a case of robbery.

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