Police Intercepted, Cyclists In Sudirman: Cycling Is Good For The Sun

JAKARTA - Police personnel chased away several cyclists because they were caught passing a permanent bicycle lane along Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin during the cycling ban on the first day of Emergency PPKM.

Observations near the FX Sudirman building, Jakarta, Saturday, July 3, found a number of police officers assisted by the Satpol PP Kelurahan Gelora asking the cyclists to turn around.

Officers directed cyclists through Jalan Pintu Satu Senayan at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) towards Jalan Asia Afrika.

Meanwhile, several cyclists admitted that they were not aware of any rules that prohibit cycling during Emergency PPKM.

"I don't know, but cycling is good, especially in the sun, it's healthy too," said a cyclist, Dani, who cycled from Blok M, South Jakarta to Monas.

In line with Dani, another cyclist, Fajar also admitted that he did not know that the cycling ban would be enforced from Saturday.

"I think it will happen at midnight," said cyclist Fajar.

Apart from cyclists, a number of residents were also seen exercising around Jalan Sudirman towards GBK.

However, the number is not as crowded as on the previous weekend, before the Emergency PPKM regulation.

"I don't know yet, if running is also prohibited," said Febrianto when met at the pedestrian area near the FX Sudirman building.

In general, the atmosphere along the permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Sudirman is empty of cyclists and only a few are found passing, as well as private vehicles.

The police restricted the flow of traffic to Jalan Sudirman, one of which was near the Polda Metro Jaya and was diverted to the SCBD line.

Previously, Polda Metro Jaya would confiscate or lock up bicycles of residents who were desperate to move outside their homes in DKI Jakarta during the implementation of the Emergency PPKM policy.

"I remind those who like to ride bicycles that they have stopped riding bicycles, I will cage their bicycles later during the Emergency PPKM, if they dare to ride a bicycle," said Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran at Polda Metro Jaya, Jakarta, Friday, July 2.

Fadil said this policy was taken to save people's lives from the threat of the COVID-19 virus which has become increasingly violent in recent days.