KWAZULU-NATAL Cycling has issued a statement clearing up the confusion over the use of the M4 Ruth First Highway for cycling.

This comes after three cyclists were injured in a crash on the M4 last month during a training ride.

That incident has thrust the safety of cyclists into the spotlight as there have been a number incidents, including fatal crashes involving cyclists, in recent years.

According to the president of KZN Cycling, Owen Botha, there has been much debate about cyclists’ rights to use sections of the M4 roadway.

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“It has been confirmed by the relevant Road Traffic Inspectorate authorities and key roleplayers, including eThekwini Metro Colonel Boysie Zungu, that cyclists have the right to use the M4 between La Lucia and Ballito. This is because it is not a designated freeway, unlike the section of the M4 from Sandile Thusi (formerly Argyle Road) to La Lucia which remains a freeway, and cycling is not allowed in that specific section,” the statement read.

“Regulation 323(1)(b) passed in terms of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, prohibits a cycle from being ridden on a portion of a road designated as a freeway. However, cyclists are permitted to use any section of road that is not a designated freeway.”

In a comment to Northglen News however, Durban Metro Police Service spokesperson Zungu said it was not safe for cyclists to use the M4, as the section between La Lucia and Ballito had no guardrails or breakdown lane.

“It is not advisable to cycle there due to lack of safety. Safety comes first. As Metro Police we are saying it’s not safe and we don’t encourage them to ride there.”

Zungu would not be drawn on whether cyclists had a ‘right’ to cycle between the two areas but confirmed from Glenashley northwards, the road was as a provincial road, not a freeway.

“It was confirmed with the department of transport that portion of the road is not freeway,” Zungu said.

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