Hundreds of Cape Town bikers united to make the roads safer by participating in the “No Day to Die” ride at the weekend.
The name may sound like a James Bond action film, but this was an attempt to turn the spotlight on the Cape's motorcycling fraternity and their safety.
The roar of revving engines resonated across the Grand Parade as hundreds of bikers gathered early on Sunday.
Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle addressed the scores of bikers before the bikers, escorted by traffic officers, set out in convoy to Bellville civic centre.
Carlisle accompanied the bikers for a short distance through the city on the back of a motorcycle.
A total of 44 deaths involving motorcycles have been recorded in the Western Cape so far this year. Last year, 63 motorcycle deaths were recorded.
Carlisle said bikers were a “vulnerable part of our road community”.
Mukhtar Mukuddem, a member of the team that organised the event, said they had more than 500 confirmations on Facebook and that yesterday's turnout had far exceeded their expectations.
He said the purpose of the ride was to give publicity to the motorcycling community and their safety.
“And to make drivers on the road more aware of us bikers,” he said.
Mukuddem said the most frustrating habit of car drivers was speaking or SMSing on their cellphones while driving.
He said two riders had died in the past three weeks, which stressed the need for the awareness campaign.
Mukuddem said bikers in the Western Cape were blessed with some of the best and most scenic roads in SA.
“Bikers contribute to the local economy in more ways than you may know. When we go riding we support local businesses in far-out towns. Bikers are a strange lot, we like going places simply to ride there,” he said.
“The freedom, the long open roads, the power of the bikes, all combine in a special experience.” - Cape Argus