ESWATINI Cycling Association (ECA) President William ‘Tiger’ Kelly has raised alarm over the growing fear among cyclists, blaming road accidents for a worrying decline in participation in the sport.
Kelly was speaking on the sidelines of the recently held Enjabulweni Day Mountain Bike Race. “We are deeply concerned. Cyclists no longer feel safe on the roads, and unfortunately, the numbers reflect that,” said Kelly, a seasoned former cyclist himself.
He revealed that the association has been burning the midnight oil trying to restore confidence in the sport.
“We are not just sitting back. We have been organising awareness rides to remind motorists that cyclists are road users too. We are trying everything possible to reassure them that cycling is both doable and safe,” he added.
Kelly admitted that the tragic events in recent months left scars that were hard to heal.
“We can’t pretend all is well. The loss of lives has shaken the cycling fraternity,” he said somberly.
Also Read: Another woman arrested for abusing minors
In a string of painful incidents, veteran rider Vitor Oliveira of Kusekhaya Cycling Club was fatally knocked down by a kombi near Thembelihle this year. Just before that, MTN Khemani’s very own Dr Malvern Masango lost his life while cycling at Mfabantfu. The community was also left reeling when Shirley Motsa was killed while jogging in the early morning at Manzana.
“These are not just statistics, they were beloved members of our community.
But we owe it to them to keep pushing forward, to fight for safer roads and to ensure no more lives are lost while we are doing what we love,” he said.
