The City of Johannesburg is currently investing in the printing of beautiful posters, created by JUCA in collaboration with very talented artist Meghan Judge. Within the next few weeks, the posters will be printed and displayed at key points all over the City.
Here is a sneak preview of the three beautiful designs. We love them. What do you think? Feedback is very welcome.
The fourth edition of the Jozi Freedom Ride will be taking place in October 2015. The ride forms part of the EcoMobility World Festival taking place in Sandton. As such, the ride will start in Sandton, heading south through the wonderful suburbs of Parktown, Parkwood, and Saxonwold and into historic Yeoville, riders will then ride through Observatory, head north into Wynberg onto the cities new cycle lanes in Alexandra, and back into the EcoMobility World Festival in Sandton.
This ride is proudly sponsored by the City of Joburg and Hollard. The donations received from riders are used to setup Bicycle Empowerment Centers in low income areas – this forms part of a strong partnership between the Freedom Ride, City of Johannesburg, and Qhubeka.
DATE: 11 October 2015
TIME: 7h00
START POINT: Sandton Gautrain Station
TOTAL DISTANCE: 27 kms
This Sunday, 4 October between 09h00 and 13h00, the streets between Sandton and Alexandra, two communities living side by side but very different interms of wealth and opportunity, will be stitched together by an exciting event that will close the streets between Sandton CBD and San Kopano in Alex to all motorised traffic.
Instead, you will be able to walk, run, ride your bicycle or skateboard (or any other form of non-motorised movement) and contribute to bringing two communities together.
Entertainment will be on hand, including the SAPS marching band, traditional dancers, giant puppers, BMX tricksters and stilt walkers. Food stalls will be available along the entire route. Bring your families, friends, neighbours and dogs on leashes.
Attendance is free and all are welcome. This event is part of the Ecomobility World Festival happening in Sandton/Alexandra all month.
More details here: Street Alive Flyer A5 23.09
The Ecomobility World Festival is taking place in Sandton from 1-31 October. A huge number of events organised around non-motorised trasport in cities – including cycling of course – are planned. A full calendar of events is available here. Get involved! A key series of events are the Dialogues, in which transport experts will come together to discuss a range of possible interventions for non-motorising cities like Johannesburg. JUCA’s very own David Du Preez will be participating in a session on ‘Reshaping Cities for EcoMobility: Strategies and Tactics‘ on October 6.
EcoMobility is an environmentally friendly way of moving, that aims to decongest major cities. The goal is to reduce the number of private cars on the roads to allow free movement of people around our cities. Ecomobility is designed to give the cities back to the people, giving them the freedom to cycle, walk, jog and stroll freely. It is also intended to reduce the amount of air pollution and make our world a cleaner place to live in. The EcoMobility World Festival is where the idea of EcoMobility is celebrated. The Sandton CBD in Johannesburg will be the second global city to celebrate the idea of EcoMobility after the city of Suwon in South Korea. Over 100 000 people travel to and from Sandton every day, with more than 75 000 vehicles driving into Sandton in the mornings, making it one of the most congested growing city centres. If these numbers are not reduced the Sandton CBD could lose its attractiveness as a business destination. The City of Johannesburg is investing significant infrastructural changes including introducing Bus Rapid Transit and cycling lanes in the Sandton CBD. But this needs to be accompanied by behavioural change, thus the decision to host the international festival and show residents, workers and visitors that a different future is possible.
The EcoMobility World Festival is an international gathering of top minds and decision-makers in the fields of transport and environment. It is also an opportunity for the people of Johannesburg to experience a multitude of activities, entertainment and fun on public roads, usually occupied by motorised transport. Sections of the Sandton CBD will be turned into public spaces for the duration of the festival and limitations will be placed on the movement of private vehicles. In return the EcoMobility World Festival promises residents, the business community, workers and visitors a variety of activities to suit all tastes and a lasting legacy in the form of infrastructure that will support the global event. Residents will be encouraged to come out of gated communities and isolated suburbs and enjoy the freedom of movement offered by a vibrant urban environment. What happens on the streets of Sandton in October 2015 might be the harbinger of a more socially cohesive and environmentally conscious Johannesburg of the future.
Are you excited? JUCA is!
JUCA is calling once again for bike train leaders to lead bike trains to and from Sandton and other neighbourhoods in support of the Ecomobility World Festival 2015.
During this festival which takes place October 2015, Jozi residents will be encouraged to travel by bicycle, walk or use public transport in any suitable combination.
Like the April 22nd Ride2WorkDay, people will be riding bicycles together to and from various neighbourhoods. A bike train leader will have regular experience commuting by bicycle in the streets of Johannesburg and will therefore offer guidance to people who may not be so confident.
The bike trains will start by the end of September 2015 and run every day in October 2015.
The idea is simple:
1. Identify a street intersection or landmark from where to start the Bike-Train.
2. Indicate a time where people can meet you. We suggest 8am but this is up to the Bike-Train Leader.
3. Identify a direct and car traffic light route suitable for novice riders. We suggest routes contained in the Johannesburg Commuter Bicycle Map. However there may be other more suitable routes.
4. Indicate on what day(s) you may be able to lead a train starting from the 25th of September (only that Friday) and every day of the week in October 2015.
5. Get in touch with us contact@juca.org.za with the above information.
We will publicize this information as we did before something like this and through the Ecomobility World Festival programme in partnership with the City of Johannesburg.
The Ecomobility World Festival will be an exciting month for cycling and other forms of sustainable transport.
Come out and show that a different way of getting around Joburg is possible.
