Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, revealed yesterday the Western Cape’s newest tourist attraction proposal – a single cycling track branching from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town. According to the Cape Argus, the local cycling associations fully back the plan and are adamant that this development could make Cape Town ‘the new cycling capital of Africa’.

The development of the extensive cycling route, which will ultimately be 520 m in length, is driven by the Western Cape government, Wesgro, local municipalities as well as private stakeholders. Developers anticipate that the cycling route will not only bring cycling enthusiasts to the Western Cape to tick off the ‘Cape-to-Plett’ route as one on their to-do lists, but that it will also allow the lesser explored parts of the Western Cape between the two major destinations to receive a greater influx of tourists. The project is part of a goal of attracting 100 000 tourists to the province.

Increased tourist visits will in turn boost the local economy and increase job creation for the destination stops along the routes.

The proposed development is part of a five-year plan with the first 160 km phase between Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay, said to be completed by 2017. Developers plan to incorporate already existing tracks as well as challenging mountain trails, scenic forest single tracks, jeep tracks, roads and even unused railway tracks as part of the formation of the Cape to Plett route. So if you are a beginner wanting to cycle this route, then the good news is that you have time to train and prepare for the guaranteed breathtaking experience.

If you would like to read more about the development, you can find it here.

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78 Comments
  • Diane Gina
    Diane Gina
    July 3, 2015 at 10:59 am

    Maybe the driver’s must first stop killing our cyclist on the road before they consider this!

  • Diane Gina
    Diane Gina
    July 3, 2015 at 11:01 am

    The city has implemented cycle lane’s but yet the taxi’s drive in them? So no i don’t think Sa is ready for this.

  • Phialene Van Der Merwe
    Phialene Van Der Merwe
    July 3, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Lize Mouton jy kan volgende jaar met die fiets Wildsfees toe ry.

  • Abigail Goschen
    Abigail Goschen
    July 3, 2015 at 11:21 am

    Nicholas Hops. dream come true.

  • Gillian Price
    Gillian Price
    July 3, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    thats awesome!

  • Anette Du Preez
    Anette Du Preez
    July 3, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    wow

  • John-Ross Mc Donald
    John-Ross Mc Donald
    July 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    Aladdin Morgan Ludwig Sabor Stephen Wiggill Shawn Jacobs

  • Geraldine Naaijen
    Geraldine Naaijen
    July 3, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    Tops!

  • Stephen Wiggill
    Stephen Wiggill
    July 3, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    Cool

  • Benjamin Oosthuizen
    Benjamin Oosthuizen
    July 3, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Sure thing, but first enforce the the road rules on the existing ones. Weekends are anarchy on the roads already.

  • Sash Sulliman-Exner
    Sash Sulliman-Exner
    July 3, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Ina de la Lune

  • Kevin Johaan
    Kevin Johaan
    July 3, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Waste of money ..We have other pressing needs in the Western Cape…like clean sanitation for the informal townships.

  • Cassandra Pedersen
    Cassandra Pedersen
    July 3, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    This is an enormous undertaking! 3 Cheers!!

  • Julie Anne Szabo
    Julie Anne Szabo
    July 3, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    This has massive potential. Provided it is safe for users… CTTV, patrols by armed staff cycling its length, check in and out at set points on the route.

  • Marc Holt
    Marc Holt
    July 3, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    Awesome… Making it easier for cyclists to get mugged and murdered….

  • Martin Wright
    Martin Wright
    July 3, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    About ten years ago a few of us proposed using the Outeniqua choo choo disused railway line for cycling. Looks like this is finally becoming a reality. Absolutely brilliant news!

  • Menissa Snell
    Menissa Snell
    July 3, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Brilliant…. maybe the cyclists will be respected.

  • Mignon Sharon
    Mignon Sharon
    July 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    What do they do about the lawlessness “driving” – who care little about cyclists or anyone else for that matter?

  • Randolph Mulder
    Randolph Mulder
    July 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Absolute brilliant idea, but if they can’t assure safety then this will just be an unused brilliant idea. Unfortunately crime plays a big factor all over South Africa. Cant wait to ride it though!!!

  • Duyver Etienne
    Duyver Etienne
    July 3, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    So shortly we will have ” le tour du cap “

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    This is an off road trail, nothing to do with road rules.

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    Waste of money? So bringing in tourist dollars is a waste?

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    Well done on bringing your negativity to a positive story. You just did your bit for the country.

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    This is an off road track. Did you read the story?

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Maybe you should read the story- this track is off road.

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Very cool – full support!

  • Kevin Johaan
    Kevin Johaan
    July 3, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    Yes …Only going to benefit the rich like all the other cycle lanes in and around the city.

  • Thalia Michaelides Pepler
    Thalia Michaelides Pepler
    July 3, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Jacky Wolff Tunstead

  • Clelland Kruger
    Clelland Kruger
    July 3, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    Gina Wills

  • Lorraine Alison de Walder
    Lorraine Alison de Walder
    July 3, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    Janice Cross….. 😉

  • Zubair Suleiman
    Zubair Suleiman
    July 3, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Yushrick Bassadien Kaashief Cornelius Altaaf Hartley

  • Elaine Ridgway
    Elaine Ridgway
    July 3, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Gosh people are negative!

  • Bronwyn Stromsoe
    Bronwyn Stromsoe
    July 3, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Rolf Stromsoe

  • Lindley Bowers
    Lindley Bowers
    July 3, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Imtiyaaz …

  • Rina Tosi
    Rina Tosi
    July 3, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Our own Tour de Plett.

  • O'Ryan Wayne Julius
    O'Ryan Wayne Julius
    July 3, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Let’s get on board

  • Neal Douglass
    Neal Douglass
    July 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Glen Watkins waiting for you two.

  • Michelle Micky Adams
    Michelle Micky Adams
    July 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Wow!

  • Joanna Onwood
    Joanna Onwood
    July 3, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    I think its brilliant and I am not even a cyclist. But will do wonders for Cape Town yeah.

  • Ludwig Sabor
    Ludwig Sabor
    July 3, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Smells like a road trip…!

  • Oliver Keohane
    Oliver Keohane
    July 3, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Casey Cooper

  • Heidi Hofmeyr Arbie
    Heidi Hofmeyr Arbie
    July 3, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Kevin Johaan…cyclists dont want to go to work on bikes…yet…because getting into the city is death-defyingly difficult because taxis/other vehicles make use of bike lanes next to main roads. So you won’t see cyclists in the city. Totally separate cycle lanes are needed in SA and both cyclists AND drivers of ANY vehicle on the road should pass a special SAFETY ON THE ROAD TEST before being allowed to use it. ENFORCEMENT of ALL (not just “speeding” transgressions) RULES of the road is essential. Then we might see more SOUTH AFRICAN commuter cyclists, not just the “rich” recreational ones!

  • Trevor Brand
    Trevor Brand
    July 3, 2015 at 6:25 pm

    Lekka

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 3, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    You clearly don’t understand economics. If foreign money comes into the country, it benefits the entire population – it is INCOME. If money is SPENT on sanitation, that is fine, but is an EXPENSE. They are different things.

  • Nicholas Hops
    Nicholas Hops
    July 3, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    O
    M
    G

  • Jessica Berry
    Jessica Berry
    July 3, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Janina Wightman

  • Zola Mzo Nkosemntu
    Zola Mzo Nkosemntu
    July 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Morne Engelbrecht

  • Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    July 3, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Fix the bloody townships you chops. Stop serving minorities

  • Humayra Garda
    Humayra Garda
    July 3, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Raoul Maag

  • Carol Sinclair
    Carol Sinclair
    July 3, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Martin Gray check this out

  • Sean Phillips
    Sean Phillips
    July 3, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    What a loser!!

  • Ebrahim Adams
    Ebrahim Adams
    July 3, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    I like the idea …sadly the reality is you will get moered off your bike like on so many places especialy in cape town. The bicycle has become the new urban mode of transport for drugs all over .You will see guys in let for example elsies river a guy camuting on a R30 to R40.000 Scott Mtb .really he bought it .See to our crime then look at a fancy road to plett !

  • Andy Jenny Johnston
    Andy Jenny Johnston
    July 3, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    When the residents of the townships start paying for utilities & services perhaps then your comment would be valid.

  • Colin Sayers
    Colin Sayers
    July 3, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Hope they pay something toward it. Taxpayers alway paying for their sports…………..can taxpayer pay my golf green fees

  • Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    July 3, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    Hahahaha you’re such an ignorant soul. I’m ignoring such comments til you come back with a response with substance

  • Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    Mfundo Celani Jnr Dumisa
    July 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    Tim you an idiot, if you fix informal settlements and supply them good facilities that would be an investment in the people who in turn will be able to acquire skills to improve the economy, instead of depending on tourism for the economy. That’s all I gotta say to you, I’m not gonna respond to you if you choose to respond because I’ve already seen how ignorant and stupid you are.

  • Tess Rodrigues
    Tess Rodrigues
    July 3, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    On the comments to this article:
    Unbelievable, South Africans have the inbred ability to make anything and everything a racist or/and political issue.The negativity is overwelming and probably the reason why some have and others have not!

  • Judi NJ Holt
    Judi NJ Holt
    July 3, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    i wish..i really wish..

  • Tineke Phelps
    Tineke Phelps
    July 3, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    Leigh Alexander this is your next one haha

  • Lincoln Birch
    Lincoln Birch
    July 3, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    This is a joke, right?!?! 😀

  • Pieter du Plessis
    Pieter du Plessis
    July 3, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    Robyn Ausmeier another reason to get a bike in cape town

  • Ibeth Toerien
    Ibeth Toerien
    July 3, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    520m? Great idea though

  • Tarryn Masterson
    Tarryn Masterson
    July 4, 2015 at 12:05 am

    Cathryn Masterson

  • Carl Alfons
    Carl Alfons
    July 4, 2015 at 12:08 am

    I think there is a typo should be 520 km instead of meters…

  • Gen Rochecouste
    Gen Rochecouste
    July 4, 2015 at 1:12 am

    Nicholas Nicolle

  • Brandon Smith
    Brandon Smith
    July 4, 2015 at 6:14 am

    Julie Ledford for your roommates

  • Tim Wightman
    Tim Wightman
    July 4, 2015 at 7:03 am

    It’s not a road you moron. It’s a mountain biking trail!

  • Joachim Bester
    Joachim Bester
    July 4, 2015 at 7:19 am

    It’s a good thing and the poor can also cycle.

  • Ebrahim Adams
    Ebrahim Adams
    July 4, 2015 at 7:36 am

    Arsewipe i a mountain biker myself clearly your mtb hasnt been taken from you at gun piont let it be known those mtb trails will pass and through areas where the least impoverished areas are ! Btw be careful with the name calling you stupid f#ÂŁk !

  • Wilfred Wilms
    Wilfred Wilms
    July 4, 2015 at 8:26 am

    Great! Now I can visit my daughter in Green Point by bicycle!

  • Andrea Lindsay-Bowman
    Andrea Lindsay-Bowman
    July 4, 2015 at 8:46 am

    How awesome !!U0001f6b5

  • Jo Maxwell
    Jo Maxwell
    July 4, 2015 at 9:37 am

    A new one for the Cape Town Cycle Tour

  • Bianca Potgieter
    Bianca Potgieter
    July 4, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Roads are for cars. If you don’t pay road tax..don’t have a number plate or can’t at least ride 60km/ph then dont use the roads. I have no patience for cyclist on the road..they think they owe the road and have total disrespect for vehicles…riding next to each other instead of single file. They should have number plates so that they can be reported.

  • Sonia Welsh-Bury
    Sonia Welsh-Bury
    July 4, 2015 at 11:29 am

    What an incredibly good idea. Just hope our track is safe not only from traffic but from criminals.

  • ockiesteyn
    ockiesteyn
    July 4, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Road tax do not pay for new roads…. INCOME TAX pays for it!!!!!!

  • Peter Berner
    Peter Berner
    July 4, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Wouw! That would beee amazing!

  • MarioJuanWooding
    MarioJuanWooding
    July 4, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    only 520m That’s so short.

  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    July 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    OpenStreetsCT alanwinde Thanks for sharing 🙂

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