From 5 to 9 October 2026, Premier Alan Winde and his Cabinet took cycling to the heart of communities across the Western Cape, wrapping up the 2026 Western Cape Government (WCG) Cycle Tour with a clear message: a healthier, safer and more sustainable province is one worth getting on your bike for.
The participants cycled nearly 200km to donate 300 bicycles to over 40 schools in the following municipal areas:
- Saldanha Bay Municipality
- Berg River Municipality
- Drakenstein Municipality
- Witzenberg Municipality
- Breede Valley Municipality
- Stellenbosch Municipality
- City of Cape Town
This annual event, which this year formed part of Mobility Month, draws in numerous partner organisations, among them the Pedal Power Association (PPA) and Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN), to encourage a culture of cycling, raise awareness of road safety and promote responsible road use among all road users.
The cyclists saddled up in Saldanha Bay along the West Coast. Over 5 days the Premier, provincial Ministers, Heads of Departments, along with representatives of various organisations visited 42 schools, most of them located in rural areas of the province, received bicycles.
Premier Winde said the tour forms part of the Western Cape Government’s broader efforts to encourage residents to leave their cars behind where possible and make more room for non-motorised transport on the province’s road.
“Getting more people onto bicycles is about building healthier lifestyles, reducing our reliance on motor vehicles and creating safer roads for everyone. And, of course, it is a good reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to pedal!”
He added, “By donating bicycles to schools, we want to give learners more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of cycling while teaching them about responsibility. By donating these bicycles to schools, we want to make learners more aware of their responsibility in maintaining and sharing their bikes. We are also supporting neighbourhood watch groups (NHWs) with bicycles and resources because safer communities require all of us to play our part. Whether you are cycling to school, travelling to work or helping to keep your community safe, looking out for one another is essential.”
The 2026 WCG Cycle Tour has once again highlighted the value of partnerships between government, schools, communities and cycling organisations in making cycling a practical and appealing transport choice.
On the final day of the tour, participants took a moment to remember 16-year-old Lilitha Lombo. Lilitha was a member of Khaltsha Cycles Development Club. She was killed in a hit-and-run tragedy while cycling in Somerset West late last month.
Premier Winde extended his condolences to Lilitha’s family, loved ones and friends, saying, “This tragedy must serve as a call to action: our roads are for everyone, not just motorists. I urge all road users – motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians – to be considerate towards each other.”
“To everyone who put in the hard work and sacrificed their time to make this cycle tour the success that it was, I want to thank you. Your dedication and attention to detail is what moved us forward,” Premier Winde concluded.
