CAPE TOWN-Learners from Mitchells Plain celebrated transport month with the City of Cape Town and were reminded about the importance of traffic safety.
The learner activation focused on pedestrian and cycling safety at the Traffic Learner Centre in Mitchells Plain and was held on Wednesday, 1 October.
The learners were briefed by the City’s urban mobility directorate who in collaboration with the safety and security directorate and the Pedal Power Association (PPA), launched National Transport Month at the traffic centre.
This year’s transport month theme was dubbed: ‘Road Safety – Share the Road Responsibly’. Learners from Rocklands and Wavecrest Primary School were given walking and cycling road safety tips.
“We’re bringing the road safety message alive this transport month by taking it directly to all road users through a series of targeted activations and messaging. We started today with the learners because children are among the most vulnerable road users in the city and many of the learners walk or cycle to school daily; often facing busy traffic and unsafe conditions. Starting this transport month with scholar safety sends a clear message that protecting our youngest citizens is a priority for the City of Cape Town,’ said Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas.
The Traffic Learner Centre in Mitchells Plain was launched in 2024 and is maintained by the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate.
The Safety and Security Directorate makes use of this centre by bringing schools to learn safe road practices in real life settings through demonstrations on the pavilion.
Heart FM’s Aden Thomas Breakfast Show broadcast live from Mitchells Plain this morning, featuring real-time interaction and giving young voices a platform on air.
“By bringing learners into a real-life road environment like the Learner Centre, our road safety officers can demonstrate in a hands-on way how to cross roads safely, the importance of wearing helmets and staying visible,’ said Regan Melody, the City’s Executive Director for Urban Mobility, in conversation with Aden Thomas.
The launch is part of the City’s broader strategy to foster a culture of road safety and encourage behaviour change, beginning with young people. The practical lessons leave a lasting impression on children, who then take the message home to their families. This approach helps the City extend the road safety message well beyond the series of activations during transport month. Throughout October, the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate will be engaging with residents on how all can share the road responsibly, to promote safety for every road user.
