Sea Point residents are calling for stricter controls on electric scooters and e-bikes following reported accidents and near misses on the popular promenade.
Concerns have grown after a resident reportedly required knee surgery after being struck by an electric scooter. Residents say children, elderly people, runners and other pedestrians are increasingly at risk.
Ian Blacher and Laurence Cross have reportedly contacted City of Cape Town officials for several months about the issue.
Ratepayers have also sent emails to ward councillor Nicola Jowell. They have called for electric scooters to be removed or for stronger safety measures to be introduced.
Residents Report Weekly Injuries
Residents claim injuries linked to electric devices are now happening weekly.
They said the promenade should remain a safe recreational space for residents, tourists, young children, elderly people and pets.
In correspondence, ratepayers argued that electric scooters and e-bikes are classified as vehicles under the National Road Traffic Act. They believe this means the devices should not be used on pedestrian walkways.
Some residents have formally requested that all electrically operated vehicles, except mobility devices used by people with disabilities, be stopped from using the promenade.
City Previously Consulted Residents
The City previously permitted bicycles and skateboards on the promenade following a pilot project launched in 2013.
A public participation process was conducted in 2022, with more than 2 000 residents submitting comments. According to the City’s correspondence, nearly 90% of participants did not support banning bicycles or electric devices.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department previously said it was considering possible initiatives to manage different forms of transport on the promenade.
Calls for Separate Lanes
Scooters rented along the promenade reportedly operate through an app that remotely enforces a maximum speed of 15km/h.
However, some community stakeholders believe speed limits alone are not enough.
Jacques Weber from the Watchtower Group and Atlantic Seaboard Response previously called on the City to consider separating the promenade into designated areas for scooters, bicycles and pedestrians.
The City was preparing an official response as calls for clearer rules and improved safety measures continued.
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