The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has announced road closures during the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg 2022. The Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg will give riders an exciting experience of owning the usually busy streets of Johannesburg for a couple of hours on Sunday, 20 November 2022.
Nearly 15 000 participants, including prominent riders from all over the country such as Fritz Pienaar, Hayley Pree, SA’s Road Champion, Kim Le Court, Cape Town Cycle Tour winner; Vera Looser, Namibian Olympian; Phillip Buys, Olympic MTB rider, are scheduled to saddle up from FNB Stadium 5:30am.
“The JMPD will open roads to cyclists and deploy officers to ensure safety of participants, pedestrians and residents,” says Xolani Fihla, JMPD spokesperson.
Participants and everyone making their way to the race should be aware that several roads will be closed from 04h00 to 18h00.
The following road closure will be in place this Sunday: Nasrec Road, Randshow Road, Soweto Highway, Booysens Reserve Road, N1S Off-Ramp to N17, N17, main Reef Road, M2E, M1N/M2W Roodepoort, M1S, Woodmead Drive/R55, Pitts Avenue/R55, Begonia Road, Hawthorne Road, Main Road, Hawthorne Road, Main Road,Witkoppen Road, Kingfisher Drive, Alexander Avenue, Westway Road, Leslie Road, Douglas Drive, Grosvenor Road, Moray Drive, Cumberland Avenue, Homestead Avenue, Bram Fischer Drive, Jan Smuts Avenue, Bertha Street and Carr Street.
“Residents can expect Nasrec Road closing off earlier between Rand Show Road and Booysens Reserve Road to accommodate the race as from Saturday 19 November 2022 at 12h00,” says Fihla.
The JMPD urges residents and members of the public to exercise caution and patience for cyclists during the duration of the race.
“Motorists should use M1N Access from Empire Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, M1N, M2E from Simmonds Street, Rifle Range Road, Beyers Naude Drive, Empire Road, Rivonia Road, Oxford Road, Old Pretoria Main Road and Louis Botha Avenue as alternatives,” says Fihla.
Cycling fans have not been shut off from the adrenaline rush. They can follow the race through MapIT.
“Cyclists are encouraged to use an interactive navigational map using MapIt to navigate around the road closures and plan their day accordingly,” says Race Director Fritz Pienaar.
Written by Getrude Mamabolo
17/11/2022