Attempted bike jacking - Liesbeek Parkway

[Andreas_187]

It seems like the Liesbeek Parkway has become a bit of a hotspot lately. I was riding from Claremont into town, around 6pm and a guy jumped out in the road as I was going under the N2. He made an attempt to stop me but luckily I had a nice tailwind and was travelling over 45km/h so he changed his mind when he saw how fast I was going.

There has been at least 4 incidents in the past month.

[DJR]

It seems like the Liesbeek Parkway has become a bit of a hotspot lately. I was riding from Claremont into town, around 6pm and a guy jumped out in the road as I was going under the N2. He made an attempt to stop me but luckily I had a nice tailwind and was travelling over 45km/h so he changed his mind when he saw how fast I was going.

There has been at least 4 incidents in the past month.

The numbers of homeless, vagrants and dodgy characters have skyrocketed over the past few months. The area you refer to has become particularly attractive to them. On the river side there are many new vagrants living in the bushes and on the site of the old riff raff circus as well. More of those desperate characters and easy getaway routes = more security problems.

Edited October 6, 2020 by DJR

[MORNE]

After my recent experience...you need to figure out their escape route Because they have a plan, but they are stil dumbasses. And knowing that area quite well i can tell you that it is probably onto the n2,m5,Maitland. There is a route they walk there next to the highway behind the observatory. If it happens to be the ones living in the reeds by protea hotel....Well theres a petrol station just up the road in rosebank....

[jackievs]

Thank you to everyone that contributed to this chat, much appreciated!

 

Can I ask if sone of you have experience of the stretch of road from Rooi Els to Gordons Bay? 

 

I have not been on this road for about 10 years... is it ok to cycle, narrow, some space with a yellow shoulder... thank you 

[Chingy182]

Thank you to everyone that contributed to this chat, much appreciated!

 

Can I ask if sone of you have experience of the stretch of road from Rooi Els to Gordons Bay? 

 

I have not been on this road for about 10 years... is it ok to cycle, narrow, some space with a yellow shoulder... thank you 

I haven't ridden that road yet, but from my understanding you're in DODGE city around Strand/Gordon's Bay area with numerous reports of muggings, etc. there in recent times.

 

The road up the pass from Gordon's Bay is quite narrow, but once you're around Rooi Els it should be good riding all the way to Kleinmond.

[Shebeen]

Thank you to everyone that contributed to this chat, much appreciated!

 

Can I ask if sone of you have experience of the stretch of road from Rooi Els to Gordons Bay? 

 

I have not been on this road for about 10 years... is it ok to cycle, narrow, some space with a yellow shoulder... thank you 

I'm not sure about the incidents level, but the road is still the same width as in 2010.

it was wide enough for Lance's pre Oprah ego

 

 

this is probably a more appropriate place for that specific question

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/32361-cape-town-danger-areas/

[Shebeen]

It seems like the Liesbeek Parkway has become a bit of a hotspot lately. I was riding from Claremont into town, around 6pm and a guy jumped out in the road as I was going under the N2. He made an attempt to stop me but luckily I had a nice tailwind and was travelling over 45km/h so he changed his mind when he saw how fast I was going.

There has been at least 4 incidents in the past month.

were you on the road or the "cycle path".

That cycle path intersection on the east side of the road where you basically need to be Hans Rey to negotiate has got to be the worst commuter bike infrastructure in the city. And that's not an empty shortlist

 

 

https://www.google.co.za/maps/@-33.9438317,18.4769386,3a,75y,281.16h,100.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLItg6otcqj7t22ZGKfIDcg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Hairy]

were you on the road or the "cycle path".

That cycle path intersection on the east side of the road where you basically need to be Hans Rey to negotiate has got to be the worst commuter bike infrastructure in the city. And that's not an empty shortlist

 

 

https://www.google.co.za/maps/@-33.9438317,18.4769386,3a,75y,281.16h,100.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLItg6otcqj7t22ZGKfIDcg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

That intersection on the cycle lane looks to specifically slow down cycle traffic speed. This may be a good idea considering the road crossings that need to be done if you follow the cycle lane....kind of makes the cyclist slow down and look.

[Schmorglebot]

Thank you to everyone that contributed to this chat, much appreciated!

 

Can I ask if sone of you have experience of the stretch of road from Rooi Els to Gordons Bay? 

 

I have not been on this road for about 10 years... is it ok to cycle, narrow, some space with a yellow shoulder... thank you 

 

If you're starting in Gordon's Bay then you're fine. There is a dodgy spot when you come from Strand, between the Greenways gate and the BP on Gordon's Bay Drive. Once you're through GB town the coastal road is fairly safe. Just stick to the shoulder and make good choices.

 

As always it's better to ride in a group and go early. The Wannabees club ride that route from Somerset West every so often and I've never had any incidents

[Shebeen]

That intersection on the cycle lane looks to specifically slow down cycle traffic speed. This may be a good idea considering the road crossings that need to be done if you follow the cycle lane....kind of makes the cyclist slow down and look.

Clearly you haven't ridden it.

 

There was zero/vokol/niks cyclist thought put into that, any design elements you're looking at are purely coincidental.

 

Which is why most riders don't use it.

[Hairy]

Clearly you haven't ridden it.

 

There was zero/vokol/niks cyclist thought put into that, any design elements you're looking at are purely coincidental.

 

Which is why most riders don't use it.

I have not ridden it, but based my assumption on the Google link you posted.

 

There is a perfectly useable cycle lane in Table View, that many cyclists also refrain from using for some odd reason. One of whom was struck by a bus last year and was lucky to not be killed, or that any other innocent people were not killed either. What I am trying to say is that most riders not using it is not necessarily always the best argument.

 

But as noted I have not ridden it, so my observation and counter argument is only based on the above.

 

If you are on a bicycle, and slowing down on the lane at this intersection ..... and it is proving to be a crime hotspot now, then you are certainly going to be at risk here of being mugged.

[Andreas_187]

were you on the road or the "cycle path".

That cycle path intersection on the east side of the road where you basically need to be Hans Rey to negotiate has got to be the worst commuter bike infrastructure in the city. And that's not an empty shortlist

 

 

 

I was on the road, there's no way I would use the cycle path next to the river. Apart from the obvious safety aspect, it means you have to criss cross from road to cycle path and back again.

[capediver]

I haven't ridden that road yet, but from my understanding you're in DODGE city around Strand/Gordon's Bay area with numerous reports of muggings, etc. there in recent times.

 

The road up the pass from Gordon's Bay is quite narrow, but once you're around Rooi Els it should be good riding all the way to Kleinmond.

Did part of that route not too long ago...one word....spectacular...

https://youtu.be/dgsLtgjLuR8

[babse]

I was on the road, there's no way I would use the cycle path next to the river. Apart from the obvious safety aspect, it means you have to criss cross from road to cycle path and back again.

Thanks for clearing that up...

 

I never ever use that bike path either. Glad you manage to escape unharmed!