Sea Point Promenade a pedestrian-only zone?

by Philip | Mar 14, 2022 | News | 0 comments

Sea Point Promenade, pedestrian-only? Residents are encouraged to comment on this proposal.

The City of Cape Town encourages residents and interested and affected parties to comment on a proposal to turn the Sea Point Promenade into a pedestrian-only zone with peddle cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers to utilise the sidewalk on the sea side of Beach Road. The closing date for comments is 10 April 2022.

The proposal and further information about the recreational use of the Sea Point Promenade are available on the City’s website for public comment.

Importantly, the proposal is applicable to the Sea Point Promenade from where it starts in Mouille Point to the Pavilion swimming pool.

The proposal is informed by a five-month long investigation into how the promenade is being used, and by whom, as well as a site visit on 6 September 2021 by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, the local ward councillors, and professionals from the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate.

‘We have found that approximately 90% of those using the promenade are pedestrians strolling to enjoy the scenic environment, or joggers. A considerable number of these visitors are vulnerable people such as children and the elderly who are frail and at risk of serious injury when run over by an electric bike, an e-scooter, or even cyclists and skateboarders going at speed. Given these challenges, we are recommending some changes to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of those who visit this iconic stretch along the Atlantic Seaboard.

‘I also want to add that Cape Town as a destination welcomes cyclists, many of them doing mountain biking or cycling along our scenic roads around the peninsula. I want to make it very clear that the proposal is that those who cycle for leisure in Sea Point can still do so, but along the sidewalk on the sea side of Beach Road from Mouille Point to the Pavilion swimming pool,’ said Councillor Quintas.

‘I want to add that Subcouncil 16 received many complaints and reports about the conflict between pedestrians and those on bicycles and motorised devices over the past few years. Of concern is that some of the elderly visitors ended up in hospital after crashes because people on bicycles and e-bikes go much faster than those on feet. Some of these devices are also heavy and can cause serious injuries. This is why I have requested the then-Transport Directorate in January 2020 to do an investigation and to come up with possible solutions to accommodate all who visit this popular recreational facility,’ said the local ward councillor Nicola Jowell.

The use of the Sea Point Promenade from Mouille Point to the Pavilion swimming pool was subsequently investigated for a period of five months, from 1 February to June 2021.

A report with recommendations about the recreational use of the promenade served before Subcouncil 16 in September 2021. The applicable proposal is now available for public comment from 10 March to 10 April 2022.

The proposal is as follows:
• Pedestrians should have exclusive use of the Sea Point Promenade from where it starts in Mouille Point to the Sea Point Pavilion swimming pool;
• Prams, wheelchairs and walkers are allowed;
• Cyclists on peddle bicycles, skateboarders, and rollerbladers should share the sidewalk on the sea side of Beach Road; and
• No e-bikes, e-scooters, or motorised devices should be allowed on the promenade, neither on the sidewalk on the sea side of Beach Road

Opportunity to comment:
Members of the public and interested and affected parties are invited to obtain more information and submit their comments at the forthcoming Open Days:
• Tuesday, 15 March 2022, from 14:00 to 19:00 at the Sea Point Civic Centre on Main Road
• Thursday, 17 March 2022, from 14:00 to 19:00 at the Sea Point Civic Centre on Main Road
• Saturday, 26 March 2022 from 10:00 to 14:00 on the grass area along the Sea Point Promenade, closest corner Rocklands Road

Comments can also be submitted in any of the following ways:
• Online by emailing transport.info@capetown.gov.za and quote reference number: 7200334254
• Online HERE

‘I encourage residents, visitors to the promenade, and other interested and affected parties to comment on the recommendation. It is an important opportunity to let us know your thoughts.

‘I also want to remind Capetonians that historically, the Sea Point Promenade was reserved for pedestrians. It is only in 2013 that it was decided to allow other users as well. However, over the past eight years or so we have seen an increase in the number of visitors to the promenade, an increase in the speed of some of these devices, and subsequently more conflict between users.

‘Given these challenges I think it is an opportune time to reconsider this decision and to give residents and those who use the promenade on a regular basis the opportunity to voice their opinion. It is important that we do all we can to improve the overall safety of all visitors to the promenade,’ said Councillor Quintas.