Good News For Cyclists: The MRT Will Provide Friendly Escalators And Lifts For Riding And Descending Bicycles

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission V of Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Toriq Hidayat welcomed the development of facilities for cyclists by the Jakarta MRT and stated that the policy has the potential to further popularize the use of bicycles as a means of transportation.

"The facilities provided by the MRT for cyclists will further encourage people to use bicycles not only as a sporting tool, a recreational tool but also a means of transportation", said Toriq Hidayat as quoted from Antara, Friday, April 30.

As is well known, the MRT currently provides ramps for getting on and off non-folding bicycles as well as parking for bicycles or bike racks at several MRT stations. The MRT, said Toriq again, plans to build a conveyor belt facility or bicycle escalator on the station stairs, a special bicycle cart on the escalator feature, and make the existing elevator accessible to cyclists.

"This addition is to make it easier for cyclists to go to the MRT train carriages, because of the input from the cyclist community, the existing facilities are not yet optimal. This is very good, that the development of MRT facilities is based on community needs", he explained.

According to Toriq, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the trend of cycling has become one of the activities that many people love. Apart from sports and recreation, he continued, bicycles are also used as an easy and inexpensive means of transportation.

"Currently, many people use bicycles from home to the station and then use transportation modes such as trains, KRL, MRT, and LRT which are available to their destination, office or recreation area", said Toriq.

According to him, the euphoria of cycling in Indonesia occurred in April and May 2020. At that time, bicycle sales in Indonesia had increased 10 times compared to the same period in 2019, so it is not surprising that the government has also prepared facilities for cyclists.

"Support for the development of facilities by PT MRT is expected to maintain the continuity of the community using environmentally friendly modes as well as to boost the migration campaign for environmentally friendly transportation means, especially in big cities", said Toriq.

Previously, PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) planned to make an escalator feature for cyclists to provide convenience when accessing stations and trains for this type of customer.

"We will add a conveyor belt so that cyclists who come out from underground can simply put down their bicycles. Later there will be a 'conveyor belt' that carries the bicycle up", said MRT Jakarta Operations and Maintenance Director Muhammad Effendi, in a virtual press conference, in Jakarta, Tuesday (27/4).

He explained that this was part of a number of plans being studied so that cyclists, especially non-folding bikes, would be more comfortable, given the high enthusiasm after non-folding bike access opened on March 24.

Effendi explained that later on, the use of conveyor belts and a special bicycle cart on the escalator will be added, to existing elevators with trolleys to make it easier for passengers to get their bicycles on and off the station.

These three options are still being studied in order to ensure the safety, security, and comfort aspects of bicycle passengers. The MRT Jakarta is also still monitoring the development trend of non-folding bicycle access for three months after its launch.