A public-private initiative aimed at making South African streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters is set to expand beyond Cape Town's city centre, with the next phase of the Safe Passage Programme extending from the CBD towards Langa.
The expansion follows the launch of the six-month Safe Passage Precinct street experiment on Bree Street, where road space has been reconfigured to improve safety, encourage active mobility and create more pedestrian-friendly public spaces.
Led by the SDI Development Trust and Young Urbanists NPC, the programme is supported by the City of Cape Town and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, with Adreach Group serving as the exclusive media partner through its Brand Urbanism model.
Phase two will focus on strengthening the mobility corridor along Albert Road, improving connections between Athlone and Langa while linking informal and formal areas of the city.
The initiative aims to benefit workers, school pupils, public transport users, pedestrians, cyclists, and small businesses by creating safer and more accessible transport routes. It also supports the growing last-mile delivery sector, with infrastructure such as protected cycling lanes and dedicated motorcycle parking designed to improve safety for delivery riders.
The Bree Street pilot, which runs between Wale and Shortmarket streets, temporarily reduces the road to one mixed-traffic lane in each direction. Temporary features include removable seating, planters, formalised loading bays, protected motorcycle parking and traffic-calming measures.
According to the project partners, the trial is intended to assess how road space can be used more effectively while supporting businesses, improving pedestrian movement and maintaining essential traffic flow. The project also aligns with the City's CBD Mobility and Access Plan, which identifies Bree Street as a key pedestrian and activity corridor.
The programme is funded through a public-private partnership model that combines public investment with corporate sponsorships, branding opportunities and outdoor advertising to finance street improvements, public art and ongoing maintenance.
Organisers say the initiative is already building on earlier work in Tshwane through the Always On Traffic Light project and is expected to expand to other Gauteng metros and Durban. They hope the programme will provide a practical model that can be adapted by cities across South Africa to improve safety, mobility and public spaces.
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