It’s game on for the 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge
13 November 2015
Johannesburg’s toughest cycle race – the 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge – returns to the streets of Johannesburg for the 19th time on Sunday November 15, with more than 35 000 cyclists expected to take part, bringing many parts of the city to a standstill.
Backed by the City of Johannesburg, it is a perfect opportunity to highlight the health benefits of cycling and to promote the activity as an ideal form of mobility in a city grappling with issues such as traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
The race, which starts from the Riversands Commercial Park in Fourways at 5.30am, speaks particularly to the City’s Healthy Lifestyle Programme, an initiative spearheaded by Executive Mayor Parks Tau to encourage Johannesburg residents to engage in physical activity such as running, walking and cycling to improve their health and increase the city’s life expectancy.
Each year the challenge’s “Ride for a Purpose” campaign encourages cyclists to ride for the greater good and create awareness and raise funds for the charity or cause of their choice. Last year over R14 million was raised for various charities through the campaign.
Momentum Spokesperson Carel Bosman said the campaign encouraged people to participate and make a difference. Bosman said the event was the only one in the world that placed significance on making a difference.
“Last year the top individual fundraiser was Isak Pretorius, who raised R280 000 for his cause JAM. A top charity fundraiser was for the CHOC Cows that collected over R3.4 million,” Bosman said.
Highveld Stereo 94.7 Station Manager Ravi Naidoo said beyond fundraising there were amazing stories of hope and courage that came from the challenge each year.
“These stories reflect the heart and grit of the people of Johannesburg and their willingness to give their all to making a success of this event,” said Naidoo.
Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi, a keen cyclist, welcomed the race.
“Cycling is cheaper than private use of cars, and it is healthy. It relieves traffic congestion and gridlocks, and is environmentally sustainable. Cycling is an essential part of our strategy to promote non-motorised transport in our province,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, Spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), said that a huge contingent of officers would be on duty from as early as 5am on Sunday to ensure the safety of all participants as well as of other road users.
“We appeal to the public as well as to participants to please exercise patience and adhere and comply with instructions of officers on duty,” said Minnaar.
He added that despite several road closures, the public would able to access Rosebank and Sandton using the N1 and William Nicol Drive. Some of the roads that will affected include Maxwell Drive, Woodmead Drive, M1 South between the Buccleuch Interchange and the M2/M1 split, St Andrews Road, Carse O’Gowrie Road, Joe Slovo Drive, M2 East between Village Road off-ramp and Joe Slovo off-ramp, Eloff Street, Main Road, Rissik Street, Carr Street, Bertha Road, Jan Smuts Avenue, Bram Fischer Drive, Homestead Avenue, Cumberland Street, Moray Drive, Grosvenor Road, Douglas Road, Witkoppen Road, Northumberland Street, Malibongwe Drive, Witkoppen, R512 between Malibongwe Drive and the Lanseria off-ramp, N14 highway between the Lanseria onramp and the Diepsloot and Summit Road.