Introducing Non-Motorised Transport

This article discusses strategies to support non-motorized transport (NMT) in South Africa. Focusing on bicycle use and pedestrians, the authors first note the walking is particularly important for people in middle- to low-income households. Walking distances in South Africa are unusually long, compared to distances in the developed world. The authors outline the principles of transportation planning that includes NMT: improving universal accessibility and social inclusion for the people who do not drive; improving public spaces to encourage walking and cycling; improving safety and security; and accommodating movement between neighborhoods and public transport services. Transportation networks need to consider the following factors in the design phase: security, traffic safety, accessibility, convenience, comfort, environment, and economy. One section highlights some of the challenges that must be faced, including the present lack of pedestrian pavements in many areas, "pavements" which are actually gravel or mud paths, no physical separation of pedestrians from vehicular traffic, intersection designs that facilitate high vehicular turning speeds, obstructed pavements, lack of adequate lighting, and not enough pedestrian crossing areas.