Toyota Cycle Your City draws impressive turn out
Naledi Lemogang | Thursday April 27, 2017 13:41
Speaking at the TCYC 2017 awareness ride, Mokaila said he is proud of the rising interest in cycling in Botswana, adding, more people are opting for cycling as their activity of choice. He urged motorists and cyclists to share the road. Mokaila said the theme ‘Share the road’ calls for harmony and cooperation between cyclists and drivers. “Due to lack of information and exposure, many cyclists are experiencing more accidents leading to death and disabilities. Therefore, cyclists must be protected on the road as they are more vulnerable compared to motorists,” Mokaila said. He said the event seeks to raise awareness for the road users to accommodate cyclists, adding they are promoting cycling as a normal, everyday activity that most people can enjoy. Total Botswana, together with the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund and Cycle 4 Life joined forces to embark on making the road safer for all cyclists. The fun ride around Gaborone included the 15km, 35km fun ride for adults and children and 62km race in which the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng took part in.
According to Boiki Tsiane, one of the cyclists, there is cooperation between motorists and riders. Tsiane said they are grateful as cyclists to be given equal rights on the road.
The MVA Fund had also brought the Children Mobile Traffic School as one of their efforts to teach children about road signs.
MVA Fund case manager, Lesesa Mtonga said it is their duty to teach children road signs while their parents went for cycling. He said one of their initiatives is to partner with such events, which attract large numbers of people.
As part of promoting cycling as a means of healthy living, safe and more environmentally friendly mode of transport, the Native Group Company launched Botswana’s first cycling magazine. The Native Group brand manager, Kgomotso King said the purpose of the magazine is to celebrate and unify local cyclists especially on the difficulties they face and how to overcome their challenges. She said their part in road awareness is to develop something that will speak to both the motorist and the cyclist on safety tips.
MVA Fund chief executive officer, Micheal Tlhagwane said the good massive attendance at the event is testimony that cycling is attracting more and more cyclists every year. He encouraged people to participate in order to grow the sport.
“Cycling can be a source of employment when done responsibly. Our lives are at stake as we share the road with some reckless motor vehicle drivers that do not obey the rules which results in tragic loss of life,” he said.
He said the road safety situation is worrisome whereby cyclists are knocked down by reckless motorists. He encouraged the society to make roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.