Indonesians demand bike lanes
Cyclists join hands to demand bike lanes
The Bicycle Congress of Indonesia (KSI) urged the government Friday to provide cyclists with bicycle lanes and other supporting facilities in Jakarta as well as other cities around the country.
“The number of cyclists, as well as their communities, are growing rapidly. We need to be recognized and we need safety and facilities on the road,” KSI chairman Syahrul Effendi said at the opening of the three-day event.
The congress is being held at the Hotel Sultan in Central Jakarta and is being attended by 200 cycling communities from across Indonesia.
Syahrul praised Jakarta for its car-free day program, which allowed people to bike safely along the city’s main roads. This policy, he said, should be adopted by other cities.
Rims gleaming: Models dressed in traditional Betawi outfits parade a bicycle during the inaugural Bicycle Congress of Indonesia at the Sultan Hotel in Jakarta on Friday. Cycling enthusiasts from across Indonesia are attending the three-day congress that began Friday. JP/R. Berto Wedhatama
The assistant to the city secretary for development and the environment, Tauhid, told the congress the city had plans to construct bicycle lanes in Jakarta and had already scheduled two car-free days a month to encourage people to ride bicycles.
“If more people ride bicycles, there will be less pollution,” he said.
Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi, who opened the congress, said given the large number of cyclists in Indonesia — estimated at 23 million — there were no reasons for the Transportation Ministry not to provide bicycle lanes.
Gamawan also called for all governors to phase in bicycle lanes in their regions.
Indonesian Antique Bicycle Community (Kosti) secretary-general Fahmi Saimima voiced complaints about the heavy traffic in Jakarta, which he said hampered cyclists, and the lack of supporting facilities.
“I feel ignored amid an absence of supporting facilities, such as parking spaces for bicycles and bicycle lanes,” he said.
KSI also signed an MoU with Jasa Raharja insurance company on a newly launched insurance product for cyclists.
Along with the congress, an exhibition is also being held at the Senayan parking lot close to the swimming pool, showcasing 100 companies selling bicycle spare parts and accessories.
The Indonesian cyclists’ camp will be held Saturday at the parking lot as an inter-region meeting forum for cycling communities, including Bike to Work Indonesia, Ontel Jakarta Sehat and Kosti.
The event will peak with the bicycle carnival on Sunday when about 50,000 participants are expected to cycle from Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta to Kota Tua in West Jakarta.
KSI public relations and publicity chairman Syamsuddin Noor said the number of people who cycled for sport had increased significantly in the last few years. (not)
