Mobility

1. (i) How many bicycles have been distributed through the Provincial Bicycle Programme in (aa) 2022/23, (bb) 2023/24 and (cc) 2024/25 and (ii) what was the total cost of the programme in each of the years.

The Provincial Bicycle Distribution Programme (BDP), initiated in November 2019, forms part of the broader Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP), which aims to improve transport, specifically non-motorised transport (NMT), and the safety of roads and communities in the Western Cape.

The Provincial BDP aims to facilitate access to social, educational and economic opportunities by providing access to bicycles for communities in need. In addition to distributing bicycles, the programme provides recipients with safety gear, as well as safety and maintenance training to ensure recipients are adequately equipped to use their bicycles confidently and safely. After distributions, a monitoring and evaluation process is undertaken to assess the programme’s impact and how it has benefited recipients.

Furthermore, the Department, in collaboration with its partners, hosts various awareness campaigns, including Bicycle Days. Bicycle Days are used to showcase the work done by the Department and to offer support to communities through activities such as bicycle distributions, basic bicycle mechanic training, bicycle repairs, and safety training.

Bicycles are distributed across a number of focus areas, including scholar mobility, community safety, community development (e.g., cycling clubs and soup kitchens) and SMME development.

The total number of bicycles distributed over the last three financial years, as well as the total associated costs, are as follows:

2. how has the distribution of bicycles been spread across regions in this period

The bicycles have been distributed across the Western Cape as follows:

3. (i) what is the Department’s projected distribution plan for the current financial year (2025/26) per region in the province

For the current financial year (2025/26), the Department plans to distribute bicycles as shown in the table below. This is informed by an application process which is described further in the response to question 27(d)(i) below.

It must be noted that this is a provisional plan and may be adjusted depending on community needs throughout the financial year.

(ii) what are the associated costs

The cost for the 2025/26 financial year distributions is R2.7m. This covers various aspects of the programme, including procurement of bicycles and safety gear, distribution logistics, safety and maintenance training, monitoring and evaluation.

4. (i) what is the rationale used by his Department in deciding how many bicycles to distribute per region in the province and (ii) how are these decisions aligned with the programme’s broader objectives?

The number of bicycles distributed to each region is informed by an open application process. Interested parties (e.g., community-based organisations, schools, individuals in need, etc.) apply to the Department for bicycles using a standard application form. The applications are assessed by the PSTP BDP team, and allocations are based on demonstrated need, the number of applications received, and the availability of bicycles.

Furthermore, the Provincial BDP takes strategic direction from the PSTP as it pertains to its broader objectives and geographical focus areas. Through the PSTP, the Department established partnerships with three priority municipalities – Stellenbosch, Overstrand and Swartland – providing planning, technical and implementation support to progress public transport, walking and cycling initiatives. These municipalities were selected through a prioritisation process which considered the size of their population and economy, the extent of public transport use and growth potential. As such, the Provincial BDP has historically prioritised these areas in line with the PSTP, while maintaining flexibility through the open application process to respond to needs across the Province.

This approach is aligned with the programme’s broader objectives as it improves access to social and economic opportunities for communities most in need, while also fostering strong partnerships with local municipalities and other stakeholders.