Windhoek-The Namibian Cycling Federation handed over the “Cycling in the City” Petition to the Mayor of Windhoek,Muesee Kazapua, on Wednesday. Considering the increasing number of accidents involving cyclists in Windhoek, the Namibian Cycling Federation has taken action and drafted a petition. After collecting over 2000 signatures from a variety of cyclists, the Federation is now requesting the creation of cycling lanes and paths throughout Windhoek. Cycling Federation members believe it is the wish of many Windhoek residents to use a bicycle for transport or recreation. There are already may progressive cities around the world, making proper provision for cyclists because of the economic, health and environmental benefits and they believe it’s time for Windhoek to join in. "We feel that with smart towns today you can to a lot of things in order to create cities with a healthy life style and not congested roads by too many cars lesser air polluted, we put lot of emphasis in the future planning of roads that cycling lanes are created so people can come to work, because we feel more people would use bicycles if the roads would be safer" said Adrian. The Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua, after receiving the petition said it is their responsibility to take care of the cyclists and pedestrians andthey have taken note of the concern. He said the city in collaboration with other stakeholders like the ministry of transport and GIZ has launched a sustainable urban transport master plan, which will address the issues of non- motorised transport,which includes the bicycle cyclists and also pedestrians. "Once this framework or policy is develop we will be able to also come back to them and see how can we accommodate them because that is also one of our priority when it comes to road infrastructure that will also prioritised for within in our financial budget of 2018/19 by the end of June some of those short term solutions that we can provide with" Kazapua said. For safer cycling, the cycling fraternity is also expecting the city to rapidly identify a network of cycle routes throughout the city. Along all these routes there should be appropriate signage and markings on the road to create awareness of cyclist. To spread more awareness, a proposal was also handed over for the closure of Independence Avenue, as well as Kudu and Garten street for motorised vehicles on Sunday the 9th of September from 08h00 to 18h00.