Cycling community mourns death of 76 year old rider in attack

SAFETY CONCERNS Cycling community mourns death of 76yearold rider in attack GENEVIEVE SERRA genevieve.heunis@inl.co.za THE cycling community is in shock following the death of 76yearold cyclist, Dennis Hammar, who succumbed to his injuries after he was attacked and robbed along Ni near FW de Klerk Boulevard. Hammar was well known among riders, having had 40 tours under his belt. Police are appealing for information on the incident. "According to reports, he was cycling from Paarden Eiland on the Ni joining FW de Klerk Boulevard, Foreshore, when an unidentified male pushed him off his bike and grabbed his cellular telephone from his backpack and jumped over the fence on the other side of the road," said police spokesperson, FC van Wyk. "The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. "On July 29, at about 11.20pm, Cape Town Central SAPS members were informed that the cyclist died in hospital. "Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. Information will be treated as highly confidential." Stay Wider of the Rider shared a statement on social media, in which they described Hammar's sportsmanship and their shock. "Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and @Club 100 fellow riders. "It is with much sadness that we CYCLIST, Dennis Hammar, 76. I Facebook wish to inform you and the greater cycling community of the passing of one of our elder members, Dennis Hammar. "Dennis was attacked this past Monday morning under the bridge near the Convention Centre where a guy jumped him with a bottle and robbed him of his cell phone. "Dennis sustained fractures and multiple injuries and had to undergo an operation and succumbed to his injuries due to postop complications. "Dennis was very fit and strong and completed 40 cycle tours successfully. Dennis was a husband, father and grandfather and we are devastated by this incident" Neil Robinson, Pedal Power Association CEO, appealed for riders to cycle in groups and avoid crime hotspots. "We are very saddened to hear of another death." Cape Town ward councillor, Ian McMahon, also expressed his concerns over the ongoing attacks on cyclists. "Transnet, the landowner for the stretch along the Ni near the CBD entrance, have shared a status around their legal plans around the eviction case for this stretch of land. "It encompasses from Old Marine Drive near Culemborg to just past the WOMAG interchange to Paarden Eiland, covering 10 different sites and includes over 400 individuals "The next hearing is next week, which will hopefully set the main hearing date as Department of Home Affairs are joining the matter. We are hopeful that Transnet is near the end stages in resolving this area and safety can be restored to this key travel corridor."