Pedestrians, Cyclists, or Drivers – Who has right of way?

By Daniëlle Gerber

With Stellenbosch University re-opening campus, Stellenbosch has seen an influx of traffic. The streets are buzzing at a capacity scarcely seen since the pandemics start in 2020. This new congestion exists alongside increased danger and perpetuates expired infrastructure.  

Figure 1: Volume of first-year students – only a third present here due to COVID-19 protocols (source: Stellenbosch University Facebook Page)

Whether on foot, bicycle, or in a car, students and working adults are travelling alike. Recently, when traveling in town, I nearly witnessed an accident. This was specifically between a car and a cyclist, although it is not exclusive to this group. There are often grey areas in road rules and the question begs, who was in the right? 

Similar cases can be witnessed daily, where different modes of transport intersect or where narrow lanes and congested traffic call for delicate maneuvering. And, unfortunately, the repercussions can be more serious. Last year we saw the passing of a Stellenbosch University student when crossing Merriman Avenue at an intersection. Furthermore, I have witnessed two hit-and-runs within Stellenbosch Central – one in which I personally fell victim.  

Figure 2: Merriman Avenue pedestrian bridge (source: writer’s own)

So, who has right of way in Stellenbosch?

Some solutions have been offered, such as the pedestrian bridge crossing Merriman Avenue, pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, cyclist lanes painted along Ryneveld Street and Merriman Avenue, and Stellenbosch Central’s network of one-way roads to alleviate congestion. However, the danger still exists, and these solutions only scrape the surface.  

This has passed the level of user responsibility, and re-thinking transportation in Stellenbosch is essential. There is an opportunity for great innovation to re-design Stellenbosch and to establish true safety. It might even see Stellenbosch completely re-imagined. How this will look is uncertain but an idea to be explored and invested in.  

What makes Stellenbosch special to many people, and as a fundamental part of the culture, is the ability to commute on foot or bicycle. Pointing fingers will get lost in the condensed crowd of people traveling through Stellenbosch, because who really is to blame at this capacity? If anything, this calls for solutions from the municipality, community, and businesses alike to preserve the essence of this town in a productive and positive way.  

In the meantime, however, here are two tips for navigating Stellenbosch: 

  • Patience: whatever mode of transport you use, and especially with cars, practice patience and take note of your surroundings before any action 
  • Look and look again: this is especially for cyclists and pedestrians, before crossing a street, and even on a pedestrian crossing, always look for approaching cars – it is not guaranteed that cars will stop