The German government has committed a further R70-million towards the second phase of the Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) programme.

The NMT programme forms part of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ 2010 FIFA World Cup National Greening Legacy Programme.

In 2009, President Jacob Zuma announced that South Africa would implement appropriate mitigation actions, which would result in the reduction of carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and by 42% in 2025, depending on availability of finance and technology.

The NMT was established to reduce carbon emissions in the country.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi said South Africa needed to build a stronger cycling culture.

“We should explore innovative means such as bike-share and bike rentals, which need to work as a feeder to public transport,” MEC Vadi said.

He said coherent, route-based network connecting main destinations relevant for daily transportation needed to be established for cyclists.

MEC Vadi was speaking at the second National Non-Motorised Transport Conference in Pretoria on Friday.

The NMT agenda seeks to promote safe, healthy, affordable, convenient, efficient and an environmentally-friendly mode of transport.

According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, promoting NMT was crucial towards the attainment of the low carbon and/or carbon neutral transportation, with specific focus on cycling and pedestrianisation.

The programme is being implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Federal Republic of Germany (working through KfW Development Bank).

The three cities that have previously benefitted from the partnership are eThekwini Metropolitan, City of Jo’burg and Polokwane Local Municipality.

The Climate Change Response Policy identifies transport as one of the key carbon emitting sectors.

About 120 delegates from government, academic institutions, cycling organisations, funding agencies, commuter organisations and unions attended the conference.