OVERVIEW, MAP & GPS
Cycling between Cape Town’s City Bowl, the Waterfront, Greenpoint and Seapoint is a breeze. Using mixture of dedicated cycle lanes and shared roads, this route is perfect for either a fast paced commute or a more leisurely urban adventure. Along the way discover the city’s favorite bike friendly cafes, as well as interesting places to visit like the Company’s Garden, Iziko Museum, the Two Oceans Aquarium and the new Watershed craft precinct at the VnA Waterfront, The Oranjezicht Farm Market and the car-free cycleways of Greenpoint and Sea Point Promenade!
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
A. THE FRINGE DISTRICT
Starting at Truth Cafe the route runs down Buitenkant Street and through the Fringe District. This area of the city is filled with bike friendly cafes and is home to many of the cities creatives. It is also a cultural hot spot and home to the Fugard Theatre and District Six museum.
B. BREE STREET & WATERKANT BIKE FRIENDLY PRECINCT
From here the route runs into the heart of the CBD where it picks up the Bree Street cycle lane. Here you will find some a collection of bike friendly dining options. About midway down, the Bree Street cycle lane intersects with the Waterkant Street bike friendly precinct, here you will find Cape Town’s favourite bike rental companies and bike friendly cafes.
C. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
At the bottom of Bree Street get onto the pedestrian bridge that runs over Buitengracht Road. It is definitely worth stopping off on the bridge to take in the fantastic views of the city below. Once you have cycle over the bridge, you will cross over onto the cycle lane that runs along Dock Road through the Waterfront!
D. THE VnA WATERFRONT
There are two ways to enter the Entering the Waterfront you are spoilt for choice for activities. From visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium to shopping in the fine stores or Watershed. If you are looking for bicycle parking at the Waterfront, you will find it outside The Forum and the Watershed buildings and outside Entrance 1 of the Main building.(see the map).
E. ORANJEZICHT FARM MARKET, GRANGER BAY
From the Waterfront, it is easy to get to the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. Held every Saturday at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront, the OZCF Market Day is a community farmers-style market for independent local farmers and artisanal food producers. The market has become one of Cape Town’s most loved weekend outings whether you are food shopping for fresh organic fruit or veg or baked goods or dining out on delicious cooked and raw foods. The market is also bike friendly, located on the cycle network, with ample bike parking available for customers at the market’s main entrance.
F. SEA POINT PROMENADE
The route then continues along the Sea Point Promenade, this flat, scenic route is completely traffic free and is suitable for kids and riders of every fitness level. With mesmerizing vistas of city, sea and mountains, the Promenade is one of Cape Town’s favorite places to cycle, walk and play – making it the perfect place to watch the sunset or stop off for an ice-cream.
G. THE LIGHT HOUSE & GREEN POINT URBAN PARK
At Three Anchor Bay the route passes the Green Point Lighthouse at Mouille Point to enter the fynbos wonderland of Green Point Park. Green Point Park is filled with beautiful indigenous gardens, water ways and play areas for both children and adults. Entry is free and it is worth spending time exploring some of its features like the Labyrinth and biodiversity garden or grab a snack at the tea room and picnic on the lawns.
H. THE COMPANY GARDENS
The route back follows the cycle lane through the Waterfront and connects onto the Fanwalk cycleway which runs along Sommerset and Waterkant Road. At Bree Street head back along the cycle lane and then left into Wale Street. A nice detour for the return trip is along Goverment Avenue, which runs through the Company Gardens. Stop off to explore the Gardens or get your cultural fix at one of the many museums and galleries in the area. Please note that unfortunately no cycling is allowed on Government Avenue as it is a pedestrian only area, you will need to dismount and push your bike through the gardens.
Exit the Company Gardens by turning left into Avenue Street (just after the Iziko Museum of South Africa) and follow the route back to the Gardens Shopping Centre.
MUST KNOW
- Cycling direction: This route can be cycled in either direction and you can start the ride from any spot along the route.
- Bus it: There is also the option of taking the bus to or from the start of finish. Bikes are allowed on the MyCiti bus free of charge but you need a Myconnect card to use the service and it is best to avoid peak times when the bus is full and bike can’t fit inside.
- Bike Rental: Use our directory to find bike rental providers in the area.
- Bicycle Parking. If you are looking for bicycle parking at the Waterfront, you will find it outside The Forum and the Watershed buildings and outside Entrance 1 of the Main building.
- Route conditions. Please note that unfortunately no cycling is allowed on Government Avenue as it is a pedestrian only area, you will need to dismount and push your bike through the gardens.
Terms of Use: As with each route guide published on BICYCLESOUTH.co.za, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather and road conditions. Always ride responsibly. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. Bicycle South, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
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