Learn2Cycle takes Open Streets

Lebogang Mokwena,  who is originally from Johannesburg, but moved to Cape Town recently via New York City where she was a student for 2 years and part of Learn2Cycle (adults learning to cycle at Open Streets).

While being in New York City, she got involved with an NGO called the Bike New York, that does a free bicycle education program throughout the city and that is where she learnt how to ride bike at the age of 31.

No one has ever came up to her and said that it’s a kid’s toy, but given her levels of enthusiasm sometimes people would think it’s quite childlike, but she is really crazy about bicycles. ”In many developing countries around the world bicycles are the principle mode of transportation, because they are free and you use your own sweat and power to get you through” says Lebogang. This could result in people using less money on transportation and they can over huge distances. To her bicycles are about that level of freedom, autonomy and money saving, especially to her as a student.

Cycling has been working well for her and she uses it to go everywhere, for example, she’ll traveled with it from her home in Woodstock to Kommetjie. She reckons that anybody can get as far as they willing to push themselves to do.

There are certain benefits when it comes to using a bicycle. Physically, you get to do exercise without having to create space for whatever gym equipment. It can help you emotionally and psychologically, knowing that you have to focus and concentrate on not being hit by vehicles, you are not worried about anything else but being present moment that you are cycling.

For the environment, climate change, greenhouse gases, bicycles are healthy for the environment. People who commute by bike are friendly and an open community. There is something around the social communion particularly in South Africa, with so many racial and class desperacies, that a bicycle can really be a good medium for different types of people to connect in ways that they otherwise don’t and wouldn’t.

Her recent cycle experience was in May, which she and her husband cycled through Italy from Florence to Rome, compared to Cape Town and Rome, Italians are much more patient and respectful towards cyclist except in Florence. People in Cape Town don’t understand the hand signals of cyclist. If more motorists can get to know cycling language, it will make it easier for motorist and cyclist to have less tense interactions on the road.

Lebogang Mokwena has successfully introduced adult cycling lessons in Cape Town. Although structured around the Bike New York technique, the Learn2Cycle program is informed by her personal experience of learning how to cycle as an adult. Learn2Cycle is interested in getting black women in general who never got the opportunity, either because it’s a toy prioritize for boys or it’s a toy that’s really expensive that low income households cannot afford. It’s for adults that feels as if it’s too late to learn. The program dispels all the myths that you’re too old to be on the road and claim the public space that people are too scared to use.

So far she has gotten a great review and people from Durban and Johannesburg would like her to bring the program there. There’s a level of need that we all take for granted.

There will be an event on October 1 called Open Street. Learn2Cycle will be at the Grand Parade, teaching people how to cycle. There are two slots which is 10am-12pm,1pm-3pm and there are another 4 spaces for people to just drop in and learn how to cycle.

To get hold of Lebgang Mokewena contact: lebogang.mokwena@gmail.com