Cyclists set to enjoy a safer ride thanks to the Pothole Patrol

On Saturday the 21 January and Sunday 22 January, more than 400 cyclists will be taking part in the 2023 Gauteng Provincial Road and TT Champs starting and finishing at the Sterkfontein Caves in The Cradle of Humankind – a well-known ride venue in the Muldersdrift area that offers cyclists some scenic relief from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As captivating as places like these are in South Africa, our country faces the challenge of an aging road infrastructure, with road defects like potholes becoming more apparent as they threaten the safety of motorists and cyclists alike.

To make for a safer, smoother ride, the Pothole Patrol, a partnership between Discovery Insure, Dialdirect Insurance and the City of Joburg – driven by a single-minded purpose to create safer roads for all – has repaired approximately 90 potholes over a 6km stretch of Saturday’s race route.

Peter McGuire, Chairman Central Gauteng Cycling, comments: “2023 has started off on a positive note, for the last few years potholes have been one of our biggest safety concerns with all our road races, with the help of Discovery Insure, Dial Direct Insurance (Pothole Patrol) we can now race and train on safer roads. From all cyclists using the cradle we thank you for your support.”

Driving a force for good

Since the launch of this collaboration in May 2021, Pothole Patrol has achieved encouraging results. Over 130 000 potholes have been repaired, which is equivalent to an average of 250 potholes every day.

Head of Strategy at Discovery Insure, Kgodiso Mokonyane elaborates: “Discovery Insure’s ambition is to create a nation of great drivers and Pothole Patrol is one of the many ways in which we bring this to life. By addressing a very real problem of potholes in Johannesburg with the vision of making roads safer for everyone, this initiative bolsters Discovery’s core purpose of enhancing and protecting lives, by playing a role in building our nation and being a force for good. Collectively, the partnership has also translated into over 40 local jobs created.”

Mokonyane adds, “Discovery Insure data shows a 26% drop in pothole-related claims in Johannesburg. A positive outcome brought about by our Shared-Value Insurance model, that enables us to be a force for good and positively impact the lives of our clients and the broader society. By improving road conditions, we are able to create a safer driving environment that encourages better driving behaviour, which we reward our clients for and the broader society also benefits from this.”

Anneli Retief, Head of Dialdirect Insurance concludes: “Joburg’s roads have taken a beating from the recent heavy rainstorms. The increasing number of potholes, which are growing in size and stature as fast as they are multiplying, are evidence of that. Potholes are dangerous for all road users but particularly cyclists and bike damage aside, hitting a pothole could result in serious injuries. Thanks to the Pothole Patrol, cycling enthusiasts can now focus on their ride, safe in the knowledge that the road ahead is pothole free.”

Report a pothole and help create safer roads for all

Our ability to repair potholes depends on being able to identify their exact locations. As a Joburg road user, you can do your part by reporting such potholes. Simply log a call with the City of Johannesburg call centre on 0860 562 874 and choose option 5 for the JRA. Alternatively, you can download the Pothole Patrol app on the Apple App or Google Play store, and report potholes via these digital platforms.