The annual increase of the Chapman’s Peak Drive toll tariff fees took effect on 1 July 2015.

The increase arises from a contractual arrangement between the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Concessionaire.

Discount tariffs are still applicable to users who have pre-registered with the concessionaire operator and who maintain a minimum balance of R50.00 in their accounts. Discount tariffs are only applicable to non-commercial use only.

For a light motor vehicle, the toll will start now start at R40 for one way for individual trips.

Please see the new tariff schedule below or click here for full details.

* Wild Card only applicable for Category 2 vehicles

The following vehicles are exempted from paying toll fees:

• South African Police Service motor vehicles in the performance of duty
• South African National Defence Force motor vehicles in the performance of duty
• Western Cape Provincial Administration emergency vehicles and Traffic Police motor vehicles in the performance of duty
• City of Cape Town emergency services vehicles and Traffic Police motor vehicles in performance of duty
• Ambulances used for an ambulance service licensed in terms of the Western Cape Ambulance Services Act, 2012 (Act 3 of 2010) used in the performance of ambulance services
• Fire-fighting vehicles as defined in section 1 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) used in the performance of fire-fighting services
• Rescue vehicles as defined in section 1 of the National Road Traffic Act,1996  (Act 93 of 1996) used in the performance of rescuing services

The following motor vehicles are prohibited from using the road:

Travelling in a direction from north to south (Hout Bay to Noordhoek)

• Heavy motor vehicles
• Articulated vehicles

Travelling in a direction from south to north (Noordhoek to Hout Bay)

• Heavy motor vehicles
• Category 3, Category 4 and Category 5 motor vehicles
• Any motor vehicle exceeding 2,1metres in width

Please click here for all new tariffs – effective 1 July 2015

Frequent Users who are signed up and registered active users of Chapman’s Peak Drive, receive an SMS notification when #Chappies is closed.  You can sign up at the Toll Plaza during office hours Mon - Fri 08h00 - 17h00.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

The Western Cape Government recently posted an article commending Entilini Operations on the good work being done with repairing infrastructure after the wildfires in March 2015. Road signs and electrical infrastructure have been repaired or replaced. CCTV security system has been replaced so those cameras are watching you!  See the full article published here:

Chapmans Peak Drive operating concessionaire is really proud of our efforts. We closed on the 31 May 2015 after a major mudslide on the Noordhoek side but are pleased to report that after 57 truckloads of material had been removed, we managed to reopen on the 17th June.. an amazing record considering that Chapman’s Peak Drive was closed for 5 years after the fire of 2000 and the subsequent mudslides and rock falls.

It’s hard to comprehend the volume of mud! Each truck was 10 m3 in size so that’s 570 cubic metres of debris that was cleared.  One cubic metre of soil weighs between 1,200 and 1,700 kilograms. If we average the weight at 1,450 that is 826,500 kilograms of soil and debris!!! All this in 17 days. Impressive if we say so ourselves!

When a major event such as a mudslide takes place the extra resources dispatched to clear the drive and get it operational requires a major injection of resources. On a daily basis, running and maintenance requirements to check, sweep, clean, load, during this period included the following:

Labour: 26 personnel

• 6 x maintenance workers
• 4 x abseilers
• 10 x casuals
• 3 x toll collectors
• 1x  abseil supervisor
• 1 x maintenance supervisor
• 1 x civil foreman.

Plant:

• 4 x 10m3 trucks
• 1 x front end loader
• 1 x high pressure cleaner
• 2 x maintenance vehicles

Every day we have a maintenance team clearing stones, mud and debris from the road.  At present there is an aerial team is on the slopes of Chappies every day, to clear the catchment fences. There is so little vegetation coverage on the mountain that debris, mud, rocks and more are getting caught in the fences.

Ongoing repairs are still in progress and close monitoring of the road and weather conditions is taking place. Too much rain or extremely high winds are the most likely conditions to close Chappies at present but please follow Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with the road status.

Chapman’s Peak Drive warns that there are likely to be more toll road closures this winter. We ask for road users to be aware and tolerant of potential road closures. These road closures are not for your inconvenience… only your safety.   Please bear with us and be patient this winter. We don’t want a four-year road closure as happened after the last major fire on Chapman’s Peak Drive in 2000.

By the way: Look at this impressive statistic – with no major natural disasters and normal conditions in 2014. Chapman’s Peak Drive was open 359 days of the year!   That’s right #Chappies was only closed for 6 days in 2014!!!!!

A huge shout out to the staff and management who have been working really hard to get Chappies open quickly and working hard to keep it open safely.

Please note:  New Toll Tariffs applicable from 1 July 2015

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

Chapman’s Peak Drive (#Chappies) is open for now but will be closely monitored for road closures this winter, the provincial department of transport and public works said.

The road and toll gate were closed for short periods on Monday and Tuesday this week due to the bad weather.  Once again Chapman’s Peak Drive asks that motorists and road users exercise patience and tolerance this winter as we strive to keep the drive safe and open.

Please follow us on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) to keep up to date with notifications of any Road Closures.

“In order to protect the safety of road users, the road is expected to be closed every time it rains during the winter period, and when certain weather-related thresholds are exceeded.”

Strong winds & heavy rain increase the risk of mudslides, rock falls and road closure on Chapman’s Peak Drive after the fire of March 2015 destroyed much of the vegetation on the slopes of the mountain.

“Motorists and other road users are urged to make use of Old Kaapse Weg as an alternative route,” spokesperson Byron la Hoe said in a statement.

Frequent Users who are signed up and registered active users of Chapman’s Peak Drive, receive an SMS notification when #Chappies is closed.  You can sign up at the Toll Plaza during office hours Mon - Fri 08h00 - 17h00.

Road users should follow Chapman’s Peak Drive on Twitter @ChapmansPeakSA or like Chapman’s Peak Drive on Facebook to receive notification updates regarding the road status of Chapman’s Peak Drive. 

Cyclists and runners are reminded that restrictions apply on the Noordhoek side from the Main Lookout Point to the boom on the Noordhoek side.  Please respect the pointsmen – they are messengers!  The restrictions are in place for safety reasons.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

Chapman’s Peak Drive is closed following a major mudslide which occurred on Chapman’s Peak Drive in the early hours of Sunday morning 31 May, 2015.   The first big winter storm hit the Cape Peninsula  on the last weekend of May.

In our previous blog post, we warned that winter was coming to Cape Town.  With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, the risk of rock falls, mud slides and road closures on Chapman’s Peak Drive were likely to increase.

High winds and heavy rains wreaked havoc on the barren slopes after the March 2015 fire.   Entilini, the concessionaire managing the drive on behalf of the Western Cape Government, has been monitoring the situation closely as bad weather continued to lash the Western Cape, during the week.  The safety of motorists and other road users is the most important priority and Chapman’s Peak Drive asks for patience this winter with road closures and mud slides and clean up operations.

The spokesman for the Western Cape department of transport and public works, Byron La Hoe, said mud and debris slides were impossible to predict. “More heavy rains could have a similar effect, [so] a full assessment will be made at the end of the week to determine how the mountain has performed,” he said.

Clean-up operations are well underway and despite additional rain this week, good progress is being made in clearing the mud from the road.  There is still work to be done to clear the catchment fences which are heavily laden with mud and silt and saved the road from major damage! Chapman’s Peak Drive will remain closed for the rest of the week and the first weekend in June 2015.

Once again Chapman’s Peak Drive asks that motorists and road users exercise patience and tolerance this winter as we strive to keep the drive safe and open.  Please follow us on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) to keep up to date with notifications of any Road Closures.

Alternative Routes:  

• Over the mountain using Ou Kaapse Weg (M64)
• Boyes Drive from Lakeside to Kalk Bay then Main Road M4 southbound to Fish Hoek.
• Main Road  (M4) south from Muizenberg

Did you know?
All frequent users who are registered on the system will receive an sms notification when Chapman’s Peak Drive is closed.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

“Winter is Coming” is the motto of House Stark, in the television series Game of Thrones. The meaning behind these words is one of warning and constant vigilance. With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, the risk of rock falls and road closures on Chapman’s Peak Drive are likely to increase.

Away from medieval fantasy, it is the month of May in Cape Town, which is autumn. It’s a beautiful time of year with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, some crisp clear days and some colder, cozier ones that demand wrapping up more warmly.   However this year the words of warning and constant vigilance are of particular importance.

As all Capetonians and many of our visitors now know, there was a massive wildfire on the mountains of the south peninsula in March 2015. As a result, the slopes of Chapman’s Peak were severely burnt and much of the vegetation destroyed. This lack of vegetation makes the slopes of Chapman’s Peak Drive unstable.

With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, such as heavy rain and high winds, the risk of rock falls increases. There are four levels of rock falls. Level four represents the highest risk, which demands immediate closure. Chapman’s Peak Drive is responsible for the safety of road users.  It is going to be a long winter of managing and controlling access to the drive while the vegetation grows. Visibility (fog and mist) can also be causal factors for road closure.

Chapman’s Peak Drive warns that there are likely to be more toll road closures this winter. We ask for road users to be aware and tolerant of potential road closures. These road closures are not for your inconvenience… only your safety.   Please bear with us and be patient this winter. We don’t want a four-year road closure as happened after the last major fire on Chapman’s Peak Drive in 2000.

Please be reminded that access is restricted due to the volatile conditions for potential rock falls after the devastating fires. Sadly NO cyclists, runners or pedestrians will be allowed between the top Look-Out & Viewing Point and the Noordhoek Gate,  on the southern side, due to to the risk of rock falls. Flagmen will be stationed along points to control the users. “We appeal to all to adhere to these conditions for their own safety”.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is working hard to manage and control road closures this winter and taking as many preventative measures as possible to keep the drive safely open this winter. Please follow us on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) to keep up to date with notifications of any Road Closures.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

Driving over Chappies after the fire, is a mixture of emotions. The smell of smoke and fire is still strong, you can taste smoke in the back of your throat and you do those little irritating coughs, because you throat is scratchy and uncomfortable.  Soot and ash clings to your toes but it is the visual devastation at the wasteland on the slopes and the charred remains that wrenches the heart. Despite the sadness to see the barren desert-like landscape on Chapman’s Peak Drive, we know that it is not a disaster for the fynbos.

Fire is great for the fynbos! It won’t be long before the slopes of Chappies are more beautiful than ever!  Fire is essential for fynbos. Many fynbos species are dependant on fire for pro-creation. Without fire, fynbos as we know it, would become extinct. The ash also brings essential minerals back to the soil. Only for a short while after a fire the landscape looks black and bleak. The first fire-lilies surface in the first weeks after a fire, followed by countless other bulbs, resprouting shrubs and seedlings. In spring, the land is fully covered with vegetation and the plants start to compete for space. Controlled fires are essential for fynbos rehabilitation.

See article on fynbos and fire HERE

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

#Chappies is OPEN following the March 2015 Cape Fire.

Please read the statement issued by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport & Public Works issued on 9 March 2015.  See original Statement HERE. 

Chapman’s Peak Drive to Open after Fire Damage Assessment | Western Cape Government

This morning (9 March 2015), I visited Chapman’s Peak Drive to receive a report from the concessionaire, Entilini, of assessments done following severe damage caused by the fires that ravaged the Southern Cape last week. The drive had been closed as a result of the fire that has been raging in the vicinity of Noordhoek, and the upper reaches above Chapman’s Peak.

The drive suffered three main impacts as a result of the fire: 

• Extensive loss of vegetation which acts as the slopes’ natural soil stabilisation mechanism in terms of rockfall and debris attenuation.
• Consequent release of previously trapped and accumulated rock debris within the vegetation, rendering them potentially mobile during episodes of strong winds and/or rainfall.
• Fracturing of both rock blocks on the slopes and on the rock face as a result of the intense heat, creating rejuvenated sources of potential rock falls.

These are extraordinary conditions that now warrant the concessionaire to adopt a very cautious approach to the management of the drive going forward, warranting regular assessments and possible closures in the interests of safety for all those that make use of the drive, e.g. motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, tourist groups, etc. Such decisions will be taken on assessment of the weather conditions that may incite further rock falls.

The drive has been opened from 14:00 today (9 March 2015) to traffic. The concessionaire will be taking necessary precautions to ensure safety on the drive, and for it to be re-opened to normal traffic whenever possible.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

The much loved Cape Town Cycle Tour will have a new route and a shortened route on the 8 March 2015, due to the massive wildfire that has ravaged the southern peninsula of Cape Town since 1 March.  David Bellairs, director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust released the following statement regarding the cycle tour.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW NEW ROUTE MAP 

CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR ANNOUNCES THE 38TH YEAR AS THE “SHOW YOU CARE SOLIDARITY RIDE”

(Cape Town, 4 March 2015) It’s been an extremely worrying and tense week for Cape Town.  For the last four days our beautiful Southern Peninsula, that the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour traditionally passes through, has been on fire. It’s been devastating.

Fire fighters have worked day and night battling the flames in sweltering heat as experienced pilots fly choppers to drop buckets of water on the flames.  Emergency teams, paramedics, health officials and disaster experts have gone the extra mile, saving lives and preventing homes from burning down.

It’s been very heartening to see how the public has responded to the crisis. They have rushed to bring necessities – eye drops, ice, drinks, food for the fire fighters. They have also pledged donations to buy much-needed resources. They have given much more than money – they have opened their hearts and given their humanity. Cape Town is a city of Good Samaritans – a city of heroes.

And we, at the Cycle Tour, are humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of good. We see that outpouring of good every single year at the Cycle Tour.  The Cape Town Cycle Tour is a celebration of good times for the 35 000 people who participate in the event. We also know that so many people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make those good times possible.

This week we’ve seen people from all walks of life responding to the fires and we know that people of this great province don’t only come together for good times but also come together when there is a crisis and we share the concerns of the local community and join in rallying behind these brave fire fighters.

For the Cycle Tour to be able to safely cater for the 35000 anticipated participants, we need to start placing infrastructure on the ground by tomorrow morning.  For this to happen, a decision on the route needs to be made today.  The decision we have made is unanimous and has not been taken lightly.  It has involved extensive discussion and collaboration by all stakeholders including the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Entilini and their consulting engineers in respect of Chapman’s Peak Drive, City of Cape town Events Office, City of Cape Town Disaster Management Services, Provincial Emergency Medical Services and Cape Town Traffic in respect of Ou Kaapse Weg, MyCiti, Mediclinic and our Presenting Rights sponsors.

Having carefully assessed all available information, it has become clear that the safety of cyclists cannot be guaranteed on Chapman’s Peak Drive and this rules out using this famous landmark for the 2015 event. This is largely as a result of the extensive fire which has destroyed vegetation responsible for retaining the mountainside above Chapman’s Peak.  Furthermore, the heat has caused rocks to expand making them unstable and in some instances rock falls have occurred.

With Chapman’s Peak Drive ruled out, our detour option of Ou Kaapse Weg returning to Cape Town via the M3 was considered.  A number of key issues needed to be taken into account including access and egress to the South Peninsula by Emergency Services vehicles and local residents who are still under threat of fires raging in the area.  The soot and ash covering both sides of the road on Ou Kaapse Weg present a considerable health risk to participants and this would be exacerbated by the likelihood of wind.

The idea of an out and back route via Main Road to Cape Point and back is impractical for an event of this size as road widths in certain areas between Fish Hoek and Muizenberg narrow down to a width of four metres.

We understand that many visitors have travelled from far afield to participate in this iconic international bucket list cycling event.  We are also keenly aware of the need to reduce the impact the event will have on traffic and other emergency services that are desperately needed elsewhere in the South Peninsula.

With this in mind, we have taken a bold decision and will be staging a vastly shortened version of our beloved Cape Town Cycle Tour in solidarity and support for those affected by the tragic fires burning on the mountains around Cape Town. The route will be a 47 km circular route from its normal start at the Civic Centre to the end of the M3 and back the same way to a slightly altered finish in Green Point.

The unfortunate set of circumstances we face this week is unprecedented in 38 years of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.  On Sunday cyclists won’t see pristine scenery as they make their way down the shortened route. They should see the smouldering landscape as a source of inspiration and pride because it represents the heroism of the men and women who have – very literally – put their bodies in the line of fire.

The ride remains a celebration of Cape Town and this wonderful Peninsula on the southern tip of Africa. The Cape Town Cycle Tour will go on because, as the fighting spirit of the people of Cape Town has demonstrated, nothing can take it away from us – not even fire.

This statement was issued by the Cycle Tour Media Office on 4 March 2015.

Chapman’s Peak Drive wishes all riders a safe ride on Sunday.

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

Scheduled Alien Vegetation clearing will no longer be taking place after the Cape Fires of the first week of March 2015. There is nothing to clear! 

The Aliens are back… or did they ever leave?  The Allies of Humanity and Natural Resources have been monitoring the Alien Presence on Chapmans Peak Drive and have issued a statement.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is rich in natural resources and “ALIENS” are resource seekers. They are here to seduce our delicate eco-systems, steal  our underground water and emerge into our world, which is no longer isolated from their threat.

We must heed the warnings and be aware of this threat, and more importantly get prepared and protect our slopes.  By the powers that govern this #Chappies Galaxy, we have established a “Removal of the Aliens Declaration”. As we cannot use military might we have called in the Protectors of Natural Resources, SANParks, who will be sending a specialised task team to the region every Wednesday for approximately a month.

Here the Alien Crack Unit will use highly trained identification powers to seek out the aliens and identify hybrids and imposters.   These plants can expand rapidly in anger increasing hot spots of danger and using their primary weapon of attack to destroy our natural fynbos via Veld Fires.

This special Alien Vegetation Clearing unit will use ropes, technology and adventurous techniques to cut, chop, clear and force the Aliens to leave so we can protect our slopes from the increasing threat and danger these Aliens present.

The SANParks Alien Unit will tackle the slopes between 09h00 and 16h00 on Wednesdays from 25th Feb 2015, where debris and alien vegetation will be destroyed and thrown down onto the drive for clearance and final destruction.  This seemingly hazardous and treacherous manner is the most effective control method for eradication of the Aliens!  These aliens don’t believe in “local-is-lekker”

In order to assist The Allies of Humanity and Natural Resources , all of us here at Chapman’s Peak Drive are committed to protecting our slopes and as such we shall organise a scheduled closure of #Chappies to all traffic and let the team take to the  upper slopes of the mountain above our drive  to attack and remove as many aliens as possible between 09h00 – 16h00.

These aliens must go!   They have no natural enemies here and we want our fynbos back.  Please help and support us and SANParks in the process of removing these aliens, which will decrease the risk of veld fires and let our natural vegetation grow back.

We need you to help in this fight to get rid of the Aliens.   Please travel before 09h00 or after 16h00 on Wednesdays.   Should you need to travel between Noordhoek and Hout Bay between those times, kindly use Ou Kaapse Weg as an alternative route.  We thank you for your co-operation and trust the mild inconvenience will be worth the governance required to rid our region of these Aliens.

Should you have any queries please call 021 791 8222

Entilini Operations (Pty) Ltd – Chapman’s Peak Drive
www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za
021-791 8222 Customer Service Line

Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:

The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220

• Read More about Chapman’s Peak Drive Frequent Users here.
• See Tariffs and discounts for all classes here
• As in life….Terms and Conditions apply!

At the beginning of each year, the number of cyclists increases substantially due to the Cape Town Cycle Tour which takes place annually on the second Sunday of March.

The Cycle Tour is the biggest cycle event in South Africa and one of the largest timed events in the world, and attracts thousands of visiting cyclists to Cape Town. Many of these cyclists are not regular riders and not always accustomed to cycling on the roads in and around Cape Town. This in turn poses challenges to both cyclists and motorists on our roads.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most popular sections of the Cape Town Cycle Tour route and many people use the drive for training purposes.  We are seeing a remarkable increase in cyclists on the drive in the build up to the event but we do please with both cyclists and motorists to  be aware and considerate of each other and let’s encourage safe cycling.

Top Safety Tips for Cyclists:

1. It’s a no-brainer:
   Helmet. Wear one!  A crash or fall can happen in a split second and leave you badly injured. A well-fitting helmet can absorb the impact and help minimize damage to your brain and skull. Wear one whenever cycling and remember “No helmet no ride!”  PS: It is the law (since 2004)
2. Be loud and proud:
   Visibility is key to safety. Fit lights on your bike, wear reflective strips and wear brightly coloured kit especially if training in the early morning or evening or in overcast, misty or rainy conditions. Go loud, go bright, go lumo – it’s okay – do whatever you have to do but make yourself seen.
3. Imagine that you are INVISIBLE:
   Narrow twisty roads without a road shoulder often pose problems for both motorists and cyclists as cars battle to pass cyclists and when there is not enough space will ‘squeeze’ the cyclists off the road. #Chappies is one of these narrow twisty roads. Ride as though no one has seen you and make ALL your intentions obvious.
4. Stay Single!
   Ride in single file, unless you are overtaking. Two abreast is not going to help you or anyone else especially on narrow twisty roads. Cape Town has lots of these roads, #Chappies included. Two abreast holds up other cars and makes the motorists angry.  Oh yes and there is that small matter that it is against the law!  That’s right it is actually unlawful to ride next to each other, except when overtaking.  Refer to section 3(3)(b) of the Gazette.
5. L is for Left!
   Stay left. Please! Just stay on the that side and don’t ride in the right lane. If you are turning right, stay on the left hand side of the lane as you turn please.
   Yes we do know that the far left of the road often has debris.  We know there are ‘cat-eyes’, gutters and drain covers. The road camber is often worst near the edge (left) of the road.  We do know; really we do! Remember that if you are riding a metre in from the side of the road – this will force a motor vehicle to cross the centre line in order to pass the cyclists and likely into oncoming vehicles. #Kaboom. Remember Keep left, Keep left, Keep left !
6. Be aware: 
   Be aware of your surroundings- watch out for car doors opening or pedestrians running across the street. Take care to ride predictably and avoid sudden braking or changes of direction and try to maintain a steady straight line.
7. Communication:
   Know your hand signals and calls, especially if riding in a group with other cyclists. The cycle tour has some communication Safety tips on their website but motorists take note. A left arm extended means you are turning left. The same applies to the right arm and the right turn.
8. Red means Stop!
   It’s a rule of the road. Bicycles are a vehicle on South Africa roads and have to obey the rules of the Road. This includes stopping at Red Robots or Stop Signs. It does not mean checking to see if anything is coming and cycling through.
9. Lose the Attitude:
   Yes cyclists don’t like motorists and motorists don’t particularly like cyclists but yelling at motorists or gesticulating at them isn’t going to help. Sorry cyclists – be polite, thank motorists for giving way and let’s help the relationship along, arrogance will make it worse.
10. Be Safe:
    Tell someone where you are cycling and stick to your route. Keep identification on you (on your bicycle & your person, should you get separated). Carry any medical aid details with you if applicable. Programme the details of your next-of-kin into your cellphone under ICE (In Case of Emergency).

Top Safety Tips for Motorists:

1. Think Bike.
   Expect to see cyclists! Cyclists are particularly prevalent in the build up to the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March. Our roads are narrow and twisty and there are many people training (35 000 to be precise!)
2. Stay Wider of the Rider:
   The message is a clear and simple one: “Cyclists stay alive at 1.5 m”. If those of you who don’t understand the metric system… that’s at least half a car’s width. Don’t force your way past them and be mindful on narrow roads like Chapmans Peak Drive, where this spacing is challenged for everyone!
3. Indicate:
   Yes you! The one behind the wheel.
   Please indicate and signal your actions which includes indicating EVERY time you pass a cyclist.
4. Turning:
   Left turns: Watch for cyclists on the inside if you are turning left !
   Right Turns: Be aware that right-turning cyclists need more space and time.
5. Slow Down
   Speed Kills – why not simply slow down, drive smoothly and keep within the speed limits. The speed limit on #Chappies is 40km/hr and there is a very good reason for it – plus it’s WAY better for taking in the views.
6. Watch the wind
   Windy weather is tough on cyclists. Be considerate and leave them a little bit of space in case they get caught in a gust. If you expect sudden movements from cyclists  in bad or windy conditions, you are already helping!
7. Park it
   Watch where you park and please check for cyclists before you open your car door.
8. Light it up.
   Make sure your lights are on so you are also visible to the cyclists. Be aware that if your bright lights are on, you can dazzle or blind a cyclist.
9. Remember that cyclists are FAST.
   Cyclists can be very fast movers! Think of a bike like a vehicle – because it is. Whilst most motorists travel faster than cyclists, some of the pro guys can do some serious speeds. Take your time and be a little patient when passing.
10. Lose the attitude:
    Don’t yell, rant, throw the finger or squeeze the bike guy off the road. Cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists and are often threatened by inconsiderate or reckless driving. They also have to deal with different road surfaces, debris, faster traffic and your attitude.

In general:
The roads in South Africa and Cape Town in particular are heavily tilted in favour of cars.  Drivers do seem to hate the idea of being slightly inconvenienced so that other modes of transport might be safer or more sustainable. At Chapman’s Peak Drive we feel that both cyclists and motorists should become more aware of each other and both share a responsibility to understand each other’s needs… and to respond positively to establish a culture of mutual courtesy and care, especially on #Chappies.

Cape Town Cycle Tour is held every year on the 2nd Sunday in March.
2015 Date:  Sunday 8 March 2015

Please note that Chapman’s Peak Drive will be closed from 18h00 on Sat 7 March 2015 until 18h00 on Sunday 8 March 2015.  (24 hours)

Chapman’s Peak Drive
Customer Service Line: +27 (0)21 791 8220
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Follow us on Twitter:  @ChapmansPeakSA