Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to bicycles that may have originated in the apartheid era of racial segregation, when companies issued free bicycles to miners and other lowly black workers.
"The reasons are complex," Grobler said. "People think cycling is only for the poor so they don't want to be seen on a bicycle. They would rather take a taxi [commuter mini-bus] or a bus."
The country's dangerous roads don't help. Bicycle lanes are unheard of
and drivers are so unused to cyclists that they forget to look out for
them.
"People say it can't be done. In their minds, you can't ride on the roads because it's too dangerous," Grobler said.
The pair rode around South Africa, seeking out wild, remote places,
stopping every cyclist they met, and riding part of the road with them.
When they didn't find a cyclist, they asked people to help them track
one down. They collected hundreds of stories and portraits of
bicyclists, gathered on a website, www.bicycleportraits.co.za, and in
three photo books, all simply called "Bicycle Portraits."
"As we went around the entire country, we found that cyclists are often
eccentric, or a little bit outsiders. They love their bikes. They're really proud of
them," Engelbrecht said. "We felt we really wanted to celebrate these
people."
Grobler and Engelbrecht were inspired by Stephanie Baker, an 83-year-old
white woman in Pretoria, who rides out with
dignified grandeur every day. "A lot of people in the old age home where
she lives don't even walk out the front gate," Grobler said.
Baker waves happily to each gardener, street sweeper and security guard she passes.
"Cycling is awfully good public relations. Most people have good will,"
she told the pair. "At least I can get around -- and see the beauty of
the place, too."
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