People urged to use bicycles

2007-10-24 18:08

Johannesburg - Riding a bicycle is cheap and affordable and could help people save money spent on car fuel and public transport, North West MEC for Transport, Roads and Community Safety said on Wednesday.

Speaking after riding a bicycle from his home to his office in Mafikeng on Wednesday morning, Phenye Vilakazi urged people to cycle.

"Thousands of people in the province ride to school and work every day, and they save a lot of money that they would pay for public and private transport," said Vilakzi.

He also donated 200 bicycles to needy learners at the Mosikare Secondary School in Mantsa village outside Mafikeng.

The school caters for children from nine villages, some of whom walk about 25km daily.

"These bicycles will help children arrive early and ease their travelling," said Ishmael Koitsioe, a representative of the school.

Vilakazi said his department would continue to donate bicycles and animal-drawn carts to disadvantaged communities in order to relieve their travelling woes.

- SAPA