The day the streets of Pretoria belong to cyclists – that’s what Sunday’s Capital Classic is all about. Ironically the race nearly didn’t take place because of the last minute withdrawal of the title sponsor. But as the old saying goes – "’cometh the hour, cometh the man." In this case it was the top brass of the Tshwane Metro Police Department.
The moment the Tshwane Metro Police Department heard about the organisers of the Capital Classic’s predicament they stepped in to save the race.
According to adv. Salim Yusuf, one of the organisers and chairman of the Tshwane Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Metro Police’s attitude towards the race is amazing.
"Actually it started last year, but this year it’s been even better. We don’t even get a chance to ask Metro Police to do things because they do it before we even ask. For them only one thing matters and that is to make the Capital Classic a cycling experience that won’t be forgotten.
"Their main aim is that cyclists should only have to worry about arriving on time, getting on their bikes and racing. The guys from Metro Police will do the rest. The safety of every rider is of the utmost importance to them. "
To ensure this, more than a 100 Metro Police officers will be on duty. That is the reason why there will full be road closure on a number of streets, including the N4 highway between Pretoria and Hartbeespoort Dam," said Yusuf.
According to Yusuf the Metro Police has taken cognisance of what cycling means for the city.
"We had a long discussion and we agreed that it is no solution just to fill up the city’s jails. They and we at the Chamber of Commerce realise that cycling is a way to create job opportunities and a very powerful marketing tool.
"This is the second year that the Capital Classic will be taking place. We are expecting more than 2 000 riders to compete, meaning the direct income for Pretoria will be around about R1 million on the day – but that is not where it stops. The overflow of this can easily amount to R10 million because investors who also cycle start seeing the investment opportunities.
"What is amazing is how many people said after last year’s Capital Classic and the OUTsurance Tshwane Mayoral Ride that they did not realise that Pretoria’s city centre is so safe and peaceful. To have that misconception out of the way is very good for business.
"At the moment there is hardly an empty shop in the city centre and there is a lot of exciting developments taking place. This all goes hand in hand with more job opportunities which will ensure less crime."
Yusuf reckons there is no reason why the Capital Classic and the OUTsurance Mayoral Ride cannot both become as big as the Argus (35000 riders) in Cape Town and 94.7 (28000 riders) in Johannesburg.
"Both those races also started out small. The big advantage we have is that the Metro Police have already taken co-ownership of the race, which already ensures that they are two of the safest races in South Africa."
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