W Cape Backs Global Campaign to Prioritize Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

The UN Global Road Safety Week serves as a platform for galvanizing worldwide and community-level efforts to create safer, more inclusive transport systems.

The Western Cape Government (WCG) has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting safer roads and sustainable mobility by officially supporting the 8th United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week, taking place from 12 to 18 May 2025. This annual event, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with UN regional commissions, is part of a broader global movement aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities, particularly among vulnerable road users.

This year’s campaign carries the dual themes of #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe, underscoring the critical importance of protecting pedestrians and cyclists—groups that represent a significant share of road traffic victims, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.

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A Global Call for Local Action

The UN Global Road Safety Week serves as a platform for galvanizing worldwide and community-level efforts to create safer, more inclusive transport systems. By highlighting targeted interventions and best practices, the campaign aims to empower various stakeholders—including national governments, provincial authorities, civil society organizations, businesses, and schools—to take tangible steps toward ensuring safer walking and cycling environments.

In alignment with these objectives, the WCG is actively encouraging local initiatives, educational campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that support the goals of this year’s Road Safety Week. “Every life lost on our roads is one too many,” emphasized Muneera Allie, Head of Communication at the Western Cape Mobility Department. “We urge all road users to slow down, stay alert, and take personal responsibility for making our roads safer for everyone.”

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Road Safety: A Public Health Crisis

According to the WHO, road traffic injuries remain a staggering global concern, accounting for nearly 1.2 million deaths annually and injuring up to 50 million more. Shockingly, road crashes are the leading cause of death among young people aged 5 to 29. These figures are not merely statistics—they reflect lives cut short and families forever altered.

In the Western Cape, the situation is equally dire. Vulnerable road users—particularly pedestrians and cyclists—account for over half of all traffic-related deaths. Compounding the issue is the province’s high incidence of drunk driving arrests, a persistent challenge that significantly elevates the risk of fatal crashes.

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Promoting a Culture of Road Safety

The WCG recognizes that addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach encompassing education, enforcement, engineering, and community engagement. The UN Road Safety Week provides a unique window of opportunity to rally support and highlight the urgency of transforming transport systems into safer, more sustainable models.

Among the province’s key priorities are:

• Encouraging non-motorized transport (NMT) such as walking and cycling as viable alternatives.

• Improving infrastructure, including pedestrian crossings, protected bike lanes, and proper lighting.

• Enhancing public awareness around responsible road use through school programs, media campaigns, and workplace initiatives.

• Strengthening law enforcement, particularly against impaired driving and reckless behavior.

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Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Cyclists

To help minimize the risk of injury, the WCG is also sharing practical safety guidelines targeted at the most vulnerable road users:

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

• Always cross at marked pedestrian crossings or overpasses.

• Refrain from walking along highways or other high-speed roads.

• Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially in low-visibility conditions.

• Stay focused and avoid distractions like phones and headphones when near traffic.

Cyclist Safety Tips:

• Use dedicated bike lanes whenever possible.

• Ride close to the left-hand side of the road and obey all traffic rules.

• Always signal intentions clearly using hand gestures.

• Wear a certified, properly fitting helmet.

• Make yourself visible with reflective clothing and functioning lights (front and rear).

• Refrain from using headphones, as they impair hearing and situational awareness.

• Stay vigilant at intersections and watch for road hazards.

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A Path Toward Sustainable Mobility and SDGs

The WCG’s support of the campaign is more than a gesture—it’s a strategic investment in public health, sustainability, and social equity. Walking and cycling are not only environmentally friendly and cost-effective modes of transport; they also contribute directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

As road users across the Western Cape join in solidarity with the global movement, the hope is that each step taken and every wheel turned brings us closer to safer streets for all.

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is a clarion call for urgent and coordinated action. Through collective responsibility and proactive measures, we can transform the Western Cape’s roadways into spaces that prioritize safety, accessibility, and dignity for every resident—whether on foot, on a bike, or behind the wheel.

Let us all take the pledge this May: to protect lives, respect one another on the road, and build a transport future that leaves no one behind.