The first five kilometres of the Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay cycle route has officially been launched. It consists of bespoke designed single track, on a section of land between Knysna and Sedgefield.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, said the 5km stretch in the mountains was launched at an event on Friday, hosted by the Western Cape Government, Wesgro and the Garden Route Trail Park.
MEC Winde said that the full phase one, which runs between George and Plett, would be ready to ride by the end of March next year.
“This initiative is part of our plan to position Cape Town as Africa’s cycling capital. All riders will be able to enjoy the route which will offer mountain trails, road, forest single track and jeep track. We will have globally recognised signage in place so riders are easily able to identify the route.”
MEC Winde said the route was an excellent example of the power of partnerships between government and the private sector.
The route is a joint initiative of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Wesgro, local municipalities, avid cyclists with technical knowledge and private landowners.
Representatives from MTO Forestry, Knysna Mayor Georlene Wolmarans, and Eden District Mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen, attended the launch.
“Parts of the route will cut across privately-owned land. There’s been excellent co-operation from the landowners. We are also seeing significant investment into building cycling tracks from the private sector.”
