Cyclists Ride in Solidarity to Honour Lives Lost on South Africa’s Roads
Good Things Guy | 04.02.2026 21:30
Hosted by Stay Wider of the Rider and Pedal Power Association, the memorial ride paid tribute to fallen cyclists while highlighting the urgent need for safer, more respectful road use in South Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa (04 February 2026) – In a moving display of solidarity, cyclists came together for a memorial ride hosted by Stay Wider of the Rider, a safe cycling campaign in partnership with the Pedal Power Association. The ride honoured Ideries Sheriff, along with all fellow cyclists who have tragically lost their lives on the roads while doing what they loved most. Neil Robinson, CEO of Pedal Power Association said the memorial ride reflected a deep sense of care within the cycling community.
“It shows that people care about the community. They care about their friends and colleagues, and their family members who are being maimed or killed, or almost badly hurt, because of poor driving.”
The memorial ride highlighted the reality of cycling in South Africa, where lawlessness and issues of road safety continue to claim lives.
“We shouldn’t have to fear for our lives every time we go out and use our bicycles to go to work and back, or for leisure. We have as much right to use the roads as motorcars do.”
He emphasised that the problem is not cyclists versus motorists, but rather law-abiders versus law-breakers. The event drew riders from various clubs and backgrounds, all moving as one through the streets.
“It’s about visibility and getting people to pick it up and run with the story. Media is a very important part of our stakeholder group. It’s not just a cycling issue, motorists and road users need to respect each other, and our culture needs to change.”
Neil also highlighted the often-overlooked commuter cyclists, who make up the majority of daily riders in South Africa. Among them was David Sejobe, a security at MultiChoice who commuted to work by bicycle.
“These are guys who go to work every day on entry-level bikes, commuting in the dark. Sometimes we don’t even hear their stories, but they are unseen users of the road and often the most vulnerable.”
Pedal Power Association continues to advocate for cyclist safety through a combination of data-driven evaluation, road engineering, education, enforcement, and meaningful legal consequences for the offenders.
The memorial ride was more than a tribute, but a reminder of the human cost of unsafe roads . Rather than ending in loss, the ride pointed towards action. It served as a collective call to recognise cyclists as equal road users and to rethink how South Africans share their streets.
