Citizens walk for Ecomobility

27 July 2015

 

Ecomobility in Johannesburg was becoming a reality.

This was said by Lisa Seftel, Executive Director of Transport in the City of Johannesburg, soon after completing a gruelling and energy-sappIng 15km walk during the 15th edition of the 702 Walk the Talk at Marks Park Sports Grounds in Emmarentia on Sunday.

 

Seftel had joined 55 000 people – notable among them Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development Councillor Nonceba Molwele, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Councillor Tshidi Mfikoe and City Manager Trevor Fowler – who were each walking for a cause, belief or charity. For Seftel and the City of Johannesburg, the annual event was a perfect platform to promote alternative ways of mobility – such as walking, cycling and using public transport.

 

This year’s Walk the Talk came a little more than two months before the City hosts the Ecomobility World Festival in Sandton, during which certain streets will be closed off to vehicular traffic and residents will be urged to walk, cycle or use public transport.

 

“Sandton will never be the same again,” Seftel said as she tried to catch her breath at the finish line in icy and crisp winter weather.

 

“The City is encouraging ecomobility – walking, cycling and using public transport. To promote this shift, we are creating dedicated cycle lanes and have taken the project citywide,” Seftel said.

 

“As the City we have a number of other ambitious plans. We have completed cycling lanes in Orlando East and Fourways and are in the process of creating lanes between Melville and Doornfontein. We are also moving towards the completion of constructing cycling and pedestrian lanes between Alexandra and Sandton. We are also constructing cycling lanes between Rosebank and Sandton,” said Seftel.

 

She said there was a need for a major behavioural shift among motorists. The City’s exhibition stand at the Marks Park Sports Grounds was abuzz with visitors interested in the Ecomobility World Festival, which takes place from 1-31 October. The global event coincides with South Africa’s Transport Month.

 

The month-long global event aims to promote the use of non-motorised transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decongest the city and improve the environment. MMC Molwele, who took part in the 5km category, said she walked to highlight the need for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle in Johannesburg.

 

“Being healthy in Johannesburg is a possibility for everyone. Residents can use the free green gyms in several parks around Johannesburg. We host health roadshows and education drives in and around the city and also educate people about ways in which they can grow their own food in the spaces available to them. Being healthy doesn’t mean you have to have money," she said.

 

“Today was a great social networking opportunity and I’m proud to say I walked the talk.”

 

MMC Mfikoe, who also successfully completed the 5km walk, said she thoroughly enjoyed race.

 

“It was such a pleasure to see and be a part of Joburg residents taking control of their lifestyles. It’s great to see others getting involved in and buying into initiatives such as this, which promote better and healthy lifestyles,” she said.

 

The 5km walk was dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the LeadSA initiative, whereas the 8km category marked the eighth anniversary of 702’s Crime Line. Walkers held up colourful banners highlighting the cause or belief they were walking for.

 

Others wore brightly lettered shirts and caps showing which cause they were most passionate about.

 

The causes included the need for mentoring young people, improving students’ access to support, promoting education, child welfare, youth entrepreneurship, elimination of human trafficking and crime, supporting people with mental and physical disabilities, the importance of visual health, promoting literacy, heightening environmental awareness, and ending rhino poaching and xenophobia.