Walking as an Alternative Mode of Transport in the Informal Sector

Within the informal transport sector in Durban, it is clear to see that many people use walking and some use cycling as an alternative to motor vehicles and other forms of transport. With a bit of research and fieldwork, it has been found that the majority of people who do walk or use bicycles as an alternative mode of transport, do so due to financial constraints, however some people also walk and cycle due to the fact that there is a lack of transport systems such as taxi’s or buses in their area. Although these modes (walking and cycling) are cheaper alternatives, they do come with various risks and dangers.

Some of these risks and dangers include muggings, kidnappings, and these pedestrians and cyclists, these incidents have in many cases even led to death. An interview was conducted with Sibaphiwe Cele. She is 23 years old, with two children aged three and five and lives in Destiny court flats, near the Wheel shopping centre. She explained that she has no other option but to walk to her little stall where she sells confectionary items such as sweets and chips at the bus terminal opposite The Workshop, in Durban’s CBD. She explained that the taxi from her place of residence to the Workshop costs five rand a trip. That would mean her transport would cost her approximately 33% of her daily turnover. This is a fairly large portion of ones salary and she expresses that she simply cannot afford this. She has been the victim of a mugging twice since the year has begun and she fears being knocked by drunken drivers on weekends. This therefore shows just how dangerous walking can be.

Thus it is vital that the government should take various measures to ensure that the public are educated and are therefore safe from harm. Government officials should go into these areas where walking as a mode of transport is prevalent, and educate pedestrian about using pedestrian bridges and wearing bright colored clothing especially when walking at night. Also, since many deaths occur due to pedestrians walking on the freeway, they should be informed that this action is illegal and can be fined, and the government should make sure, that for the safety of pedestrians, these laws are enforced.

In many areas, the availability of transport systems are very poor. This could be due to the small demand for transport in an area or due to the ongoing strikes which have been occurring over the past two years. Small though the demand may be, there are people who do require public transport, and this facility is not being made available to them, which then forces them to either walk or cycle.

The danger involved in cycling is mainly being knocked by motorists. Many cyclists fear this as there has been much publicity about such accidents. These accidents can be attributed to the fact that cycling is not promoted by the government and this is shown in that there is only one cyclists lane throughout the whole of the greater Durban area, located near the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The fact that cycling isn’t emphasized shows the lack of diversity in terms of transport promotion and utilization.