A bumper events period kicks off in the Southern Cape this weekend.

The Knysna Cycle Tour starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday. Today (1 July 2016), the ten-day annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival also begins.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, encouraged those attending the cycling festival to ensure safety was the most important priority.

“The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works has called on riders to make sure their number plates, vehicle lights, brake lights, and indicators are visible at all times. Obscuring any of these items with a bicycle rack or other object is an offence punishable by a R500 fine. An auxiliary number plate must be fitted in a clearly visible place if the bike rack obscures the number plate. Additional lights should fitted to the back of your vehicle if any are obscured. The Department of Transport and Public Works’ Provincial Traffic Services will be on high alert. I want to urge festival-goers to not drink and drive and to use the road responsibly, whether you’re in your car or on your bike,” said Minister Winde.

Minister Winde said growing the size of the cycling economy was a focus area of the Western Cape’s growth strategy, Project Khulisa. Part of this plan includes the development of the Cross Cape cycle route between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay.

“Premier cycling races generate in excess of R700 million for our economy each year. Visitors travel from across the world to participate in these flagship events. We envisage that this route will have the same global appeal. In this financial year, we are investing R4 million into the development of this route. This project forms part of my goal to attract 100 000 cycling tourists to the Western Cape each year.”

Along with cycling tourism, Minister Winde said the events economy was also a driver of jobs and growth.

“In 2015, the Oyster Festival attracted 73 500 visitors and generated R134 million for the region. Most importantly, 3400 job opportunities were created. These figures underscore the importance of the events economy,” said Minister Winde.

Source: Government of South Africa.