Southafrica improvement of road cycling

Johannesburg's new mayor has halted the

construction of the South African city's

ambitious cycle lanes project.

It was rolled out in part of the city in 2014 while

the African National Congress (ANC) was still in

power, to encourage people to cycle.

Opposition parties had criticised the ANC, saying

the money should to used to provide services for

poor people.

Mayor Herman Mashaba says the project would

only be looked at once all the city's roads had

been tarred.

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He is from the Democratic Alliance which won

control of the city in August elections, with the

support of the Economic Freedom Fighters

(EFF).

The EFF had marched to former mayor Parks

Tau's office, unhappy that the city had set aside

70 million rand ($490,000; £370,000) for cycle

lanes in rich areas of the city while residents in

Alexandra township still lived in squalid

conditions.

Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, Johannesburg

The news of the cycle lanes received a mixed

reaction when it was announced in 2014.

While some felt it was a vanity project for the

city's growing elite, others welcomed the vision

of encouraging more residents to get out of their

cars and cycle instead.

However, the move to halt the project has

largely been welcomed.

The decision seems to show the influence of

firebrand Julius Malema, whose EFF was

merciless in its criticism of the lanes during its

election campaign.

The EFF joined forces with the DA, which now

runs Johannesburg.

The debate about infrastructure v the needs of

the poor is a longstanding one here and it is a

difficult balancing act.

Johannesburg fancies itself a world class city

and meeting that ambition comes with a hefty

price. But its managers also have to wrestle with

the reality that many residents are still without

basic services such as housing, water or proper

sanitation, or proper roads.

While it would take a lot more than would have

been spent on the lanes to relieve poverty in the

city, this gesture may help to send the message

that those who live on the fringes of

Johannesburg's skyscrapers have not been

forgotten.