‘The city he loved killed him’: Family mourns cycling legend

Cape Town – The death of 77-year-old Dennis Hammar, a prominent figure in the Cape Town cycling community, has sparked renewed outrage over safety in the city’s public spaces following a brutal attack near the Artscape Theatre on Sunday, July 27.

Hammar, a respected husband, father, grandfather, and veteran of more than 40 consecutive Cape Town Cycle Tours, was cycling under a bridge when he was attacked with a bottle and robbed of his cellphone.

He was hospitalised but later succumbed to his injuries, said a local Cape community group.

Remembering Dennis Hammar
Last week Dennis Hammar, a 76 year old cyclist, was attacked and robbed while riding his bike along N1, he later died from his injuries.
Police are still looking for the man responsible and ask anyone who might know anything to come forward. pic.twitter.com/SH2N0YynlG

— Crime Alerts SA (@SA_CrimeAlerts) August 3, 2025

The attack comes just weeks after a separate violent incident involving a hiker on Table Mountain, raising serious concerns over the safety of residents and visitors in some of Cape Town’s most iconic and frequently used public areas.

Hammar’s widow, Sharon Hammar, expressed her devastation in the wake of the tragedy, saying, “The city and country he loved so much have let us all down.”

Shockwaves 

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local cycling and fitness community, many of whom now say they fear using spaces once considered safe. Tributes have poured in across social media, where Hammar was described as a “legend,” “gentle soul,” and “dedicated athlete.”

ANOTHER DECENT MAN LOST TO CRIMINAL SCUM.

77-year-old veteran South African cyclist Dennis Hammar died from post-surgery complications after a bottle attack during an attempted phone robbery in Cape Town’s CBD on July 27, 2025.

Renowned for 41 consecutive Cape Town Cycle… pic.twitter.com/uJTzNpIwlM

— Pookie’s Polls & Opinions (@pookiepolls) August 2, 2025

In response to growing anger, calls have intensified for the City of Cape Town and law enforcement authorities to take urgent action. Demands include increased police visibility, improved lighting in high-risk areas, and greater accountability in the justice system.

“We cannot allow our streets and natural spaces to become no-go zones,” one local cyclist said at an informal gathering in Hammar’s honour. “Dennis’s death must not be in vain.”

Authorities have yet to confirm any arrests related to the attack. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed for witnesses and any information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the perpetrator.

As the community mourns the loss of a man remembered for his endurance, generosity, and love for Cape Town, the incident has reignited a broader conversation about crime and urban safety — and what it will take for the city to reclaim its public spaces.