City of Cape Town fleet vehicles – all 12,000 of them – could soon be displaying ‘Think Bike’ stickers, in the City’s latest road safety campaign.

Handing out free Think Bike stickers to visitors at the Cycle Tour expo on Friday, 6 March, Executive Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin said that the City is “extremely concerned at the increasing number of incidents on the roads of Cape Town involving motorcyclists and cyclists.”

“Many road users complain about a lack of respect and awareness – and as a cyclist, motorcyclist and user of public transport, I have a unique perspective on the issue,” he said.
“Although there is a limit to what a local government can do in terms of our constitution and other acts and legislation, the City can increase awareness among all road users of their legal and social responsibilities toward each other, in order to bring about a safer road environment.”

The Think Bike bumper stickers remind motorised transport users to be aware of two-wheeled ‘drivers’, whether bicycles or motorbikes.

On Friday Cllr Grant Haskin also asked City staff participating in this year’s Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour to race with a black arm band, in memory of fellow staffer Craig Haskins, who was killed while training for the cycle race.

The City is hosing a Cycle Safety and Awareness workshop later in March to propose practical, achievable, realistic and “do-able” interventions.

The Think Bike campaign was started in the Western Cape in 2005, after consideration of the alarming number of motorcycle and bicycle accidents that are directly caused by other vehicles. Being as vulnerable as they are, bikers and cyclists very often emerge from these avoidable accidents seriously injured, maimed or dead.

The campaign is intended to help educate people about these issues, without pointing fingers or accusing anyone of negligence.

The campaign is also aimed at educating the biking and cycling community about safety issues and encouraging them to use protective clothing.

To get your own Think Bike sticker, contact Jacques Maritz on 084 444 0775 or visit www.thinkbike.co.za