Regulation From The Ministry Of Transportation: Turns Out That Bicycle Users Are Not Obliged To Wear A Helmet

JAKARTA - Since entering the adaptation stage, a new bicycle habit has become a trend in society. Apart from being a sport, cycling can also be used as a means of transportation to the office because it can maintain a distance by not using public transportation.

Currently, cycling on the highway has official rules and restrictions from the Ministry of Transportation. This regulation is stated in the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) to issue a Minister of Transportation Regulation (Permenhub) Number 59 of 2020 concerning Safety of Cyclists on the Road. This regulation was published on 14 August.

Director General of Land Transportation Budi Setiyadi said that this Permenhub is a guarantee of safety for cyclists while on the road. Therefore, this Permenhub contains several safety requirements that must be met.

Based on its use, the Ministry of Transportation divides it into two types, namely bicycles for public use and sports. The riders of both types of bicycles are required to use fenders, brakes, bells, lights, pedals and reflectors.

However, said Budi, the use of the fender is only required for cyclists with sports interests. Meanwhile, the use of helmets for cyclists on public roads is also not mandatory. However, people can still use helmets as part of safety when cycling.

"For example, the use of helmets and fenders is not mandatory and optional. Fenders are even exempted for racing bikes, mountain bikes, and other bicycles in accordance with statutory provisions," he said, in Jakarta, Monday, September 21.

Budi hopes that with the issuance of Permenhub Number 59 of 2020 it can be quickly implemented to the regency / city level areas.

"I have sent a letter to all Governors and offices to prepare several supporting facilities for cyclists to the regency city level. This means that there is an obligation for the government to gradually prepare infrastructure for cyclists to ensure cycling safety," he said.

The supporting facilities include the availability of public parking for bicycles. Budi said that his party is encouraging offices, schools, public places, places of worship, to gradually prepare parking lots for bicycles.

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"Parking for bicycles is not only a space but also a tool for parking bicycles. Our direction is that bicycle parking should be easily accessible to cyclists, the location is not too far away so that it will encourage people's interest to quickly increase in cycling," he said.

In addition, Budi said, through Permenhub, it is hoped that the public can use bicycles as a means of transportation used in daily activities and to move places in short distances. This will also reduce congestion.

"The purchasing power of the people is getting better nowadays, so the tendency is that people can afford to buy private vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, the impact is pollution, noise and congestion. Now while there is a phenomenon of using bicycles for daily activities in society, we are helping to develop that interest, "he said.

With the issuance of this Permenhub, Budi said, the government has a legal basis for regulating bicycle use. This is because in Law No. 22/2009 there is no sanction that regulates crimes for cycling because the regulation for non-motorized vehicles is handed over to the regions.

"Permenhub Number 59 Year 2020 is actually only a technical guideline for the community to know safe cycling procedures," he explained.

Not only that, said Budi, Permenhub 59 also regulates the procedures for turning, stopping, and what signs are needed to the necessary facilities.

When cycling on the road, there are also several hand signals that can be used by cyclists according to the Permenhub. For example, when turning right, turning left, stopping, and inviting overtaking.

"Broadly speaking, there are 3 things that are regulated through the Permenhub, namely the technical requirements for bicycles, procedures for cycling on the road, and bicycle support facilities in the form of lanes, lanes and parking facilities," he said.

To accommodate the needs of the Regional Government, said Budi, the Regional Government can determine what types and uses of bicycles that are allowed to operate in their areas according to regional characteristics and needs.

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