The Pedal Power Association (PPA) is calling for stronger protection for cyclists on South African roads as fatalities, hit-and-run incidents and violent attacks continue to affect cycling communities.
South Africa’s largest cycling advocacy organisation wants greater emphasis placed on enforcement, including stronger police investigations, faster prosecution of reckless drivers and improved protection for vulnerable road users.
The call follows a series of incidents across Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal that the PPA believes demonstrate why road safety interventions cannot rely on infrastructure and education alone.
Enforcement forms part of the traditional three pillars of road safety — engineering, education and enforcement — and includes monitoring traffic laws, investigating violations and ensuring cases progress through the justice system.
PPA CEO Neil Robinson said families should not have to struggle to get investigations involving injured or killed cyclists moving through the criminal justice system.
“We have noticed that victims and grieving families are increasingly forced to appoint private legal counsel simply to compel basic police work, such as issuing subpoenas and transferring dockets to the National Prosecuting Authority,” Robinson said.
The PPA has highlighted eight cases from the past 14 months involving cyclists who were killed or seriously injured.
Among them is Kerry Grundlingh, who was allegedly struck from behind while training with her father in the Cradle of Humankind in July 2025. According to the PPA, the docket was transferred to the NPA in Roodepoort approximately a year later following intervention by the family.
In Cape Town, veteran cyclist Dennis Hammar died following complications after a violent attack while cycling in July 2025. The association says no arrests have been made.
Worcester bicycle shop owner Francois Esterhuizen was killed in an alleged hit-and-run on the R43 in December 2025, while cyclist Idries Sheriff was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Victoria Road in Camps Bay later that month.
Gauteng cyclist David Sejobe died following a hit-and-run in January 2026. In February, Atish Jivan and Jayesh Madhav were killed after allegedly being struck from behind while cycling on the R82 near Walkerville.
In April, Landon La Grange sustained catastrophic injuries after a collision while riding with a group of cyclists along Cape Town’s Victoria Road. He later died from his injuries. A culpable homicide case is expected to go to trial in October.
Durban cyclist Wessel Van Dyk died following a collision near Moses Mabhida Stadium in August. The case has been postponed to 29 September for further investigation.
The PPA is also concerned about cyclists being targeted in criminal attacks, particularly around identified hotspots in Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
It says 27 violent attacks or attempted attacks involving cyclists have been reported to the organisation in Woodstock and surrounding areas since 2024.
For Robinson, improving cycling safety requires authorities to strengthen all parts of the road safety system.
“Far too many incidents are happening around the country and unfortunately our police, NPA and punishment of infringements don’t really serve the purposes, due to a lack of resources,” he said.
The PPA believes better enforcement should work alongside safer infrastructure and road-user education to create an environment in which cycling can be a safer form of transport, recreation and sport.
