I condemn, in the strongest terms, the barbaric alleged attack of a group of cyclists on a motorist on the morning of 2 March 2014. The alleged attack took place on Beach Road towards Cape Town CBD, and was recorded by another motorist. The gruesome visuals tell the harrowing story of intolerance and a serious lack of consideration for others occupying the shared space that is our roads.

What makes it worse is that video footage indicates that the cyclists involved in the incident were, themselves, operating in complete disregard of the law by insisting on riding more than one abreast; the law is very clear in that it requires cyclists riding on the open road, outside of an organised event, to ride in single file (regulation attached).

This type of incident goes against everything my department has done over the past five years not only to ensure cyclist safety (through various interventions and the passing of the regulation requiring motorists to leave a gap of one meter when passing cyclists), but the safety of all other road users, who are encouraged to make use of the road in the spirit of mutual respect, as well as respect for the shared space which we all occupy.

I accept that these cycling hooligans represent a small part of the cycling community, and am sure that the broader community would join me in condemning such violence by members of their cycling fraternity, however incidents similar to these are on the rise with stories of road rage surfacing far too frequently; some in the past having resulted in death.

We will be keeping a close eye on the investigation into the incident and will do all we can to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The links to the videos, as well as the account of the incident from the motorist who recorded the video, are below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrkfP5SV6Ko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PaDk891JYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZihLb_Ae0

"Earlier yesterday morning I was driving on Beach Road towards Cape Town, just past the Pavilion. There are two lanes and I was in the right hand lane. I found myself approaching a bunch of about twenty cyclists, probably practicing for the Argus Cycle Tour. They were in the left lane, but many were riding abreast so some were even encroaching into the right hand lane, past the center line. Aware of the new 1.5 meter rule, I slowed to give them space and was unwilling to overtake. Further ahead was a stationary vehicle that was double parked but it went unnoticed by the leader of the group who was looking back and communicating to the rest of the team. The group were moving swiftly and only at the last second when the leader again faced forwards, did he see the vehicle…. Just in the nick of time. He had to swerve to avoid the vehicle and this obviously upset him. He stopped his bicycle abruptly and flew into a violent rage. The entire peleton pulled up in support and some followed his lead. I fumbled with my phone for valuable seconds and eventually got the camera going, and filmed the violence unfolding before me. You can clearly see how they battered the vehicle, bent the windscreen wipers, pepper sprayed the driver, tried to steal his keys, assaulted him with a bicycle wheel and punched him and the passenger in the face repeatedly. There was a lot more going down than what you can see in the video.

I drove away as the vehicles further behind me grew impatient but a few hundred meters further I decided to do the right thing and return to assist the driver and his passenger. By the time I got there, the cyclists had left (I passed them) and the Van was nowhere to be seen. I stopped at my friend Dave D’Aguiar, and shared the video. Dave was equally disturbed by the video and took it to Sea Point Police Station himself about two hours later. He inquired at the charge office if anyone had laid a charge against cyclists for road rage and, as coincidence would have it, the victims were themselves in the police station doing exactly that! As it turns out, they were volunteer workers cleaning up the hydration bags and other litter after the finish of the 10KM Sunshine D, Nelson Mandela Commemorative Walk.

If you would like to be instrumental in bringing these hooligans to justice then please SHARE this post now. Like minded citizens may recognize some of the perpetrators and the clubs they ride for. If you recognize any of the cyclists in the video then either ‘name and shame’ or call the investigating officer directly, Warrant Officer Olivier on 021 430 3700."