JOHANNESBURG - Cyclists in the Western Cape are demanding a heavy penalty for the taxi driver who hit cyclist Landon le Grange.
The 61-year-old died in the hospital on Tuesday due to the critical injuries he sustained.
The crash is highlighting what cycling groups are calling a growing national crisis on South Africa's roads.
According to the Pedal Power Association, the tragedy was not only devastating but entirely predictable.
"While this incident has shocked the Cape Town community, it is not an isolated tragedy," the association said.
"It reflects a national pattern of predictable, preventable harm driven by dangerous driving behaviour, inadequate infrastructure, and weak enforcement."
It said cyclists are forced to contend with reckless overtaking, aggressive driving, and narrow or deteriorating road surfaces.
One of the most concerning issues raised by the association is the lack of enforcement of existing laws.
In the Western Cape, motorists are required to leave at least one metre when passing a cyclist.
Yet, the association says, this law has never been successfully prosecuted.
"The one‑metre law exists on paper, but without a single prosecution, it offers no real protection," the association said.
What’s killing cyclists?
According to the association, most fatal crashes involving cyclists come down to a handful of key factors:
• Dangerous overtaking
• Excessive speed
• Driver distraction, particularly mobile phone use
• Failure to yield
• Alcohol-impaired driving
Speed remains the biggest factor. Research shows that a cyclist hit at speeds above 45 km/h has less than a 50 percent chance of survival.
The association is now calling for immediate action from authorities, including stricter speed limits on mixed-use roads and visible, consistent law enforcement.
It's also calling on the SAPS to prioritise offences such as speeding, dangerous overtaking and drunk driving and to ensure that offenders are prosecuted, not simply warned.
There are also calls for quick infrastructure fixes, including wider shoulders, better signage, and interim cycle lanes.
While dedicated cycle lanes are often seen as a solution, the association warns that not all lanes are created equal.
What is needed, it says, are continuous, physically protected cycling routes, something that remains largely absent on many popular cycling corridors.
"Cyclists are vulnerable road users and should be respected as such whilst cycling responsibly," it said.
"The Victoria Road fatality is a heartbreaking tragedy, but it is also a predictable outcome of a national system that fails to protect vulnerable road users," the association said.
"South Africans will continue to pay the price for a car‑centric environment that prioritises the accommodation of motor vehicles, and where driver behaviour prioritises speed over safety and the basic principles of considerate, responsible driving."