Cape Town loses one of its world-class, people-first pedestrian crossings. The Waterfront has taken an undemocratic decision and has gone in a direction to undermine the pedestrian-friendly environment it is so well renowned for. 

Somewhere around September, work concluded when the world-class, people-first pedestrian crossing was removed on Dock Road linking Battery Park and the Waterfront.

With the sudden and haste removal of the crossing with no public input, let alone from the thousands of working-class pedestrians that make use of the pedestrian cross from their place of work and the CBD, this area has made a big u-turn on what made it so caring, safe and transformational. 

Half of South Africans do not own a car and our own many plans call for our dependency away from private transportation. This removal doesn't make sense, it is irrational, dangerous and indifferent to our plans as a country.  

Walking is the most common mode of transport used in the country, with about 17.4 million South Africans walking to their various destinations, followed by 10.7 million individuals who made use of taxis and 6.2 million who used car/truck as a driver.

This means, 27.4 million users are reliant on taxis and walking as a method of commuting. Considering, thousands walk from their place of employment from the Waterfront to the taxi rank in the CBD, this removal is to the detriment of the everyday South African. 

What makes this pedestrian crossing so special? 

The crossing helped connected the CBD and the Waterfront. It carried thousands on daily basis from tourists to workers. 

The crossing design allowed pedestrians to cross the road where cars had to give way. A road is a public space and this crossing brought balance to the area for pedestrians and other active mobility users. 

South Africa has a very high pedestrian fatalities rate, 35-40% of road deaths in SA are pedestrian death. Through effective road designs and engineering, we are able to make roads safer for pedestrians.  

This crossing was that and now the thousands who pass through are forced to wait at the dangerous interaction where pedestrians are not prioritised. 

A dedicated pedestrian crossing that gives priority to pedestrians is key in a high pedestrian zone like the Waterfront. 

What has been said so far?

V&A. Pedestrians have two options to cross Dock Road which are both near the former crossing. Firstly, at the signalised intersection, where a pedestrian push button is available to activate the pedestrian phase and enables pedestrians to cross. Secondly, pedestrians can use the underpass located a few metres away in the opposite direction, which passes beneath Dock Road, to cross the road. - V&A Waterfront 

V&A. We believe this is a balanced decision that takes into consideration the various factors at play, and will not compromise the quality of the experience of visitors coming to the V&A, whether they be pedestrians or motorists.  - V&A Waterfront 

Us. The underpass we know is not safe, especially for female pedestrians as it is a dark place with no eyes on the streets. Furthermore, the first option (the intersection) is dangerous considering the high volumes and the bias given to cars. - Sindile Mavundla, Bicycle Mayor of Cape Town 

The pedestrian crossing that was removed worked for people. - Sindile Mavundla, Bicycle Mayor of Cape Town 

We want to ask the V&A:

1. What study was taken to support this decision? Can the finding be made public?
2. Why wasn't the general public, especially pedestrians and active mobility users not consulted before making this decision?
3. What led to this decision - our source says it was car drivers. Refer to point number two.

Every day South Africans deserve more. It was a one of its kind & we need your help to get it back.

This is a joint petition by Sindile Mavundla, Bicycle Mayor of Cape Town and Roland Postma, Young Urbanists South Africa