08 Dec 2025 STAY SAFE DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
As we approach the festive season, there will be the usual influx of thousands of visitors to Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha. Please try to avoid areas that have been identified by the Pedal Power Association as high-risk hotspot areas. Hotspot areas can be viewed on our Crash and Crime map on our website.
We have also provided some guidance on popular cycling routes in the various provinces throughout the country.
Western Cape:
In Cape Town, routes along the Atlantic Seaboard and the South Peninsula are popular for cycling. However, try to avoid the Main Road from Muizenberg to Glencairn as well as Victoria Road from Bakoven to Sea Point, due to heavy congestion during the festive peak season. Should you be cycling along the main roads in these areas, please cycle at a slow pace and stay alert to avoid unexpected car doors opening or vehicles pulling out of parking bays.
Vehicles do not become less of a risk once they come to a complete stop or in a parking bay. They then pose a completely different threat to cyclists. Dooring incidents occur when a vehicle occupant opens a car door suddenly and is potentially devastating for the cyclist involved. These incidents occur in areas such as Camps Bay, Sea Point, Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek.
For your own safety, it is important to always stay single file and to adhere to the speed limits on the roads. Along Chapman’s Peak Drive there is a speed limit of 20 or 40 km an hour for vehicles and cyclists alike. Due to speeding and reckless driving along Chapman’s Drive, law enforcement measurements have been actioned to ensure all road users adhere to the speed limits and rules of the road on Chapman’s Peak Drive. There will be visible law enforcement on Chapman’s Peak moving forward.
Please use bicycle lanes if available, otherwise stay on the lefthand side of the road unless obstructions in the road force you to take to the lane.
The PPA strongly suggests cycling in groups as cyclists become ‘easy targets’ for criminal activity when cycling alone, especially early mornings. Please stay vigilant and use hand signals to communicate your intentions to other road users who share the road with you.
Popular cycling routes in the Western Cape:
One of the most popular early morning cycling routes in Cape Town is from Fish Hoek to Cape Point, cycling in a southerly direction along the Main Road through Simon’s Town past Smitswinkel Bay towards Cape Point. Turn right onto Red Hill and head over Red Hill. Best to avoid Kommetjie Road from Ocean View to Sunnydale right now, due to construction work (which is due to complete this week). Turn left onto the Glencairn Expressway and left again onto Black Hill Road. Turn right at the Kommetjie Road intersection to head back to Fish Hoek via Kommetjie Road.The speed limit from Glencairn to Cape Point starts at the general urban limit of 60 km an hour including the Cape Point area. The speed limit along the Red Hill road in both directions, is 50 km an hour.
Another route frequently used in Cape Town is from Fish Hoek via Corsair Avenue in Sun Valley towards Noordhoek to Bakoven. Turn left onto Buller Louw Boulevard and left again onto Noordhoek Main Road straight up to Chapman’s Peak Drive heading northeast into Hout Bay. At the first roundabout keep left, and at the second roundabout turn right into Victoria Road up Suikerbossie along Victoria Road heading north to Bakoven and back. Once again heavily congested during the day so best to head out early morning. Cyclists can continue onwards to Sea Point Boulevard but the roads along Camps Bay, Clifton and Sea Point are all heavily congested in December posing threats to cyclists. Please make sure you take care in these areas. The speed limit in Noordhoek is 60 km an hour and along Chapman’s Peak Drive it varies from 20km an hour to 40 km an hour. The speed limit along Victoria Road was reviewed and has been lowered to 50km an hour on open stretches and 40km an hour in residential areas for all road users.
Another popular route used by the PPA for social rides in the Southern Suburbs, heads out from Vida e Caffe at Palmyra Junction in Claremont, towards Campground Road along Milner Road and Keurboom Avenue, back past Palmyra Junction Vida e Caffe towards Main Road with a climb up Bowwood Road. Turn left onto Bishopscourt Drive and right onto Rhodes Drive and then left down Upper Primrose Road along Hill Wood Avenue, down Canterbury Drive. Turn left onto Zion Road, up Newlands Road and turn right onto Herschel Walk Road and then left onto Waterloo Road towards Doordrift. Turn left at Van Ryn Road and left into Kendal Road and right onto Boundary Avenue, along Firgrove Way, Tokai Road and right onto Main Road. Turn left onto Boyes Drive and left into Camp Road. Turn left again onto Main Road. Turn left onto Westlake Drive and head in a southerly direction onto Steenberg Road and turn left onto Nova Road along Constantia Main Road. Turn left onto Alphen Road and left again onto Peter Cloete Road and left onto Hohenhort Road, left again onto Avenue Bordeaux, towards Hermina Road and head back to Vida e Caffe through Wynberg and Newlands. These are all residential areas with a speed limit of 60km per an hour.
Cyclists in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town can head out from Vida e Caffe Cycle Lab, Joe Hattingh Street, N1 City turning left onto Giel Basson Drive, then onto Plattekloof Road turning left onto Uys Krige Road and right onto McIntyre Road. Turn left onto Jip De Jager Road and turn right onto Van Riebeeckhof Road then onto Durban Road, Old Oak Road and La Belle Road onto Polkadraai Road. Turn left onto Old Polkadraai Road down Vlaeberg Road and turn left onto Vlottenberg Road and left again up Polkadraai. Head back to Vida e Caffe N1 City along La Belle Road and Frans Conradie Road. Speed limits of 60 to 80km an hour applies in these areas.
The Kayamandi and Cloetesville areas along the R304 to and from Stellenbosch, have been identified as high-risk areas, so please avoid these routes if you can.
Popular cycling routes in KwaZulu-Natal:
Head north from the Sun Coast Casino to Umhlanga on the Promenade for 2.4km and turn slightly left onto the M21. Turn right onto Prospect Hall Road for another 1.5km. Continue onto Sackville Pl for 300m and then continue onto Harcourt Pl. Continue onto Hoylake Drive and then turn right onto Swapo Road. Then turn right onto Mackeurton Drive. At Hinton Pl, continue straight onto Kentucky Drive. Continue onto Potomac Avenue and then turn right onto Clinch Crescent and then right onto Laughton Avenue. Laughton Avenue turns to the left and becomes Harold Pl. Turn right onto Aubrey Drive and left again onto Inca Drive. Turn right to stay on Inca Drive. Turn right onto the Promenade and continue onto Forest Drive and then Marine Drive. At the roundabout take the exit to Durban onto View Road. Proceed to cycle back to the Sun Coast Casino using the same route. The speed limit is 60 km an hour.
Another route is from Cycle Lab Cornubia Mall to Umhlanga, turn onto Tecoma Road in a westerly direction and then turn right onto Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard. Turn left onto Meridian Drive and then right onto Mahogany Drive. Turn left onto Wager Avenue and then right onto Herrwood Drive. Turn left onto Herald Drive and right onto Portland Drive. Turn left onto Egret Lane and left again onto Weaver Crescent and again right onto Lagoon Drive. Turn left onto Ocean Way and right onto Marine Drive. Turn right onto Ann Abor Road and left onto Ypsilanti Avenue. Turn right onto Inca Drive and right again onto Aubrey Drive. Turn left onto Marion Avenue and left again onto Potomac Avenue onto Hinton Place. Turn left onto Danville Avenue. Follow the same way back. The speed limit in this residential area is 60 km an hour.
The PPA partnered with Peschl Sports Pro Development and Cycle Lab to host the very first Cycle Sunday in Durban during Transport month. We are pleased to announce that the second Cycle Sunday will take place on Sunday 14 December from 5h00 to 9h00 along the M4 from the Ruth First on ramp to Portland Road Umhlanga off ramp and back. Please join the ride for a 4-hour car-less cycling experience.
Popular cycling routes in the Eastern Cape:
In Gqeberha the most popular route for groups is the Marine Drive loop along the coast, 40 – 50km with variations depending on start/ finish point (i.e. cyclists start/ finish at their homes and then have meeting points where they will gather and do the main part of the loop. This is a +/- 2hr ride, so with rides normally starting around 05h00, cyclists will inevitably encounter motor vehicle traffic through Walmer (on the way back to their starting point/ or home). During the week the Walmer Main Road should be avoided between 07h00 and 08h00. Speed limits: mainly 60km an hour with 80km an hour on some sections.
The Marine Drive loop starts at Pollock Beach turn left onto Marine Drive and continue along Marine Drive in a south westerly direction towards the Willows/Schoenmakerskop. The turnaround point is at the entrance to the Willows Resort. Make a U turn at the entrance of The Willows and head back along Marine Drive in an easterly direction, turn right onto 8th Avenue Summerstrand to finish at Pollok Beach.
Over weekends the most popular route in Gqeberha would be a longer route 70-100km, which might include the Marine Drive loop which normally has less motor vehicle traffic over weekends plus a Maitland loop. Speed limits: varies from 60km an hour to 80km an hour and 100km an hour on some sections.
Popular cycling routes in Gauteng
In Johannesburg, most cyclists head out to the Cradle of Humankind for some less congested roads for cycling. Road cyclists can find routes of varying lengths, such as the 65 km and 75 km road rides popular with cycling groups. Please note the general speed limit in the Cradle is 60 km an hour. A popular road cycling route in the Cradle of Humankind is the approximately 28km Kromdraai Loop, a challenging but rewarding ride with scenic views, a mix of climbs and descents, and traffic-calmed sections. The loop is accessible from several start/end points like Bidon Bistro or Kloofzicht Lodge and can be ridden clockwise for the best experience on the road.
In Pretoria East the following routes are very popular:
- The Wilds/Woodhill College routes: Many cyclists start here to ride east, with a variety of routes available. You can find GPX files for routes ranging from 50km to 120km, which can be shared by local riders.
- Rosemary Hill to Cullinan: This is a known and scenic route that allows for a good ride, often done as part of a group.
- Hazeldean Valley Trails: While not strictly a road-only route, this area offers a mix of road cycling and MTB options, suitable for a varied ride.
Popular cycling routes in Pretoria East - The Wilds/Woodhill College routes: Many cyclists start here to ride east, with a variety of routes available. You can find GPX files for routes ranging from 50km to 120km, which can be shared by local riders. • Rosemary Hill to Cullinan: This is a known and scenic route that allows for a good ride, often done as part of a group.
- Hazeldean Valley Trails: While not strictly a road-only route, this area offers a mix of road cycling and MTB options, suitable for a varied ride.
Safety first always:
The PPA has compiled some safety tips which many cyclists are aware of but its nevertheless a reminder to set an example and keep to good habits on the road.
- As a legal road user, always obey the rules of the road. This always includes adhering to speed limits on the road.
- Be sure you and your bicycle are as visible as possible when on the road. Wear bright clothing and always use lights during the day and night (both front and back lights).
- Always wear a helmet, no matter how short the ride is. It is the law.
- Many roads are extremely congested, so please keep a single file, it’s the law. And please be extra vigilant (and perhaps slow down) in highly congested areas.
- Don’t cycle on the pavement unless it’s a designated cycle path.
- Using a cell phone whilst cycling could have disastrous consequences.
- Ride in groups, if possible, it is for your own safety.
- Avoid areas that have been identified as hotspots.
- Do not cycle on highways, it is illegal.
- Use hand signals to indicate your intentions on the road.