GTAF makes ride to school a little safer

Martin Bar explains how the bicycle lights work to Grade 4 pupil Giano Rossi.

Pupils making their way to class by bicycle will now have a safer ride thanks to the Greater Table View Action Forum (GTAF) who have donated R14 000 worth of reflector bibs and bicycle lights to several schools in the area.

SpearheadedbyGTAF vice-chairman Martin Bar, the initiative has seen donations made to Table View Primary, Blouberg Ridge Primary, Blouberg Rise Primary, Sunningdale Primary and Bloubergrand High schools.

Mr Bar said an unfortunate incident in which he almost knocked down a Table View Primary School pupil who was cycling to school prompted him to start the initiative.

“The boy had no reflectors on or any lights on his bicycle. It was still dark I didn’t see him,” said Mr Bar.

The close call spurred him into action and with the help of GTAF’s management committee, Mr Bar started the safe cycling initiative.

He approached various cycling companies and got them to lower their prices for the good cause.

GTAF chairwoman Karen Davis said at the moment GTAF was footing the bill for the bicycle lights but they were hoping to get business sponsorships on board to help with the cost in future.

“This we will do after the fact as we felt it was imperative to get these out to the kids before the winter school holidays begin,” said Ms Davis.

On Thursday June 29, Mr Bar and Ms Davis visited Sunningdale Primary School where they handed over around 20 reflector bibs and 20 bicycle lights also known as button lights.

Mr Bar said all the schools were receiving around 20 donations of the bibs and lights and that it was up to school staff to hand it out to those who needed it. Blouberg Ridge Primary and Bloubergrand High were the first to receive their safe cycling donations earlier last week.

Ward 107 councillor Nicky Rheeder applauded GTAF on a “fantastic initiative”. “For a young organisation they have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. They are focused on what they want to do in the community and it comes through in their actions,” said Ms Rheeder.

Sunningdale Primary School principal Estelle De Wit thanked GTAF for including them in their initiative. “I am so thrilled about this. This morning one of the boys cycling to school told me he was almost knocked down on his way to school so these donations are a great help,” said Ms De Wit.

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