We would like to share this question to our road safety experts:
Question:
“I was stopped a few days ago by Metro Police. I was told that cyclists are not permitted to cycle on the highway or freeway. I have never seen this law in the K53 handbook. If it is not in the handbook, and there are no signs on the road, how can it be illegal?
To be honest, it is safer than travelling on the back roads. Firstly, being a lady it is more dangerous riding on a secluded road, the roads are also much more narrow, and normally don’t have a yellow lane for cyclist to ride in.
These roads are normally packed with large heavy duty vehicles…travelling in these conditions is much more dangerous.
At least on the busy highway, there is a larger area to ride on the side, and I feel safer knowing that if I have a problem, I am not sitting on the side of the road worrying about my safely.
I would rather be knocked over by a car, than end up being raped on a road that is regarded as “safe” by metro police.
Please can you forward me information relating to the law that does not allow cyclists on the highway.”
Answer:
I’m not sure which K53 manual the person is referring to, but in all the books and CD products with which I am involved it is stated that cyclists are not allowed on freeways. The term used may be cyclists, bicycles or pedal cycles.
References:
Pass your Learner’s Easily Page 14
Pass Your Learner’s First Time Page 15
Your Learner’s and Driver’s made Easy Page 19
The New K53 Manual Page 58
Note that this rule relates to FREEWAYS. ‘Highway’ is a term used in the UK and other countries. In SA, ‘highway’ is sometimes used to refer to a non-urban road, like the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg. But as far as these and related rules of the road are concerned, they concern freeways, which are denoted by the sign shown below.
In my view this prohibition sign should appear at the on-ramp to every freeway:
After all, pedestrians and cyclists make up a large percentage of road deaths in South Africa.