Encouraging people to cycle, enjoy nature and the outdoors is among the curative missions of Durban’s Green Corridors, writes Jared Sumar
In eNanda, a Wilderness Park features outdoor play facilities, garden projects and exercise classes for the elderly.
“This is part of our mission to provide occupational therapy and education in rural areas,” said Green Corridors guide, Siphiwe Rakgabale. “It’s all about teaching people how to live off, around and with the land, helping them understand that the health of humans and nature are one,” said Rakgabale.
Changing lives
Green Corridors has also had an impact in changing people lives through cycling.
Through the GO!Durban Cycle Academy more than 300 children cycle every week at adventure parks in eNanda, KwaMashu, KwaDabeka and Chesterville.
The initiative is supported by the eThekwini Transport Authority which aims to link tourism with eco-development in ways that benefits local communities.
Pump tracks
The adventure parks include pump tracks – a continuous circuits of dirt rollers, berms, and jumps which are designed to enable riders to “pump” — generate momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedaling or pushing.
The KwaDabeka Bike Park hosted the South African qualifier event for the inaugural Red Bull Pump Track World Championships in April 2018 and has given rise to the launch of the first black female mountain bike (MTB) team in the country. – Roving Reporters
>> Now read: Green plan to turn dirty waste into walkways
BANNER IMAGE: Blessing Ndlovu, from the GO!Durban Cycle Academy based at eNanda Adventure Park puts himself through some training paces on the state of the art pump track there. -Photo Val Adamson
