After All, In Accordance With The Legislation, Cyclists Must Be On The Left Lane

Riders with AA plates face off against a platoon of road bikes (Photo: Instagram @goshow.cc)

JAKARTA - A photo of a motorcycle rider with AA coded license plate and a group of racing or road bike riders is suddenly being discussed on social media. In the photo, the motorcyclist is pointing his middle finger at the group of bicycles that fill the Jalan Jenderal Sudirman section.

Responding to this, the Head of the DKI Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, emphasized that cyclists whose speed is below the motorized vehicle, no matter what, must stay on the far left lane.

This is enshrined in Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation.

"The cyclists who are in the traffic lane together with other motorized vehicles must of course take the leftmost lane. So that the safety and security aspects when in the road space can be fulfilled", Syafrin told reporters, Sunday, May 30.

Regarding the imposition of sanctions for "naughty" cyclists on the highway, Syafrin handed over the action to the police. Meanwhile, the DKI Provincial Government has the task of preparing facilities, as well as socialization and education regarding traffic order.

"Regarding sanctions, it is the authority of our colleagues in the police. We from the provincial government are trying to prepare existing facilities. Both in terms of infrastructure and support. So, activities for bicycles, which have such high interest in Jakarta, can be well facilitated", he explained.

Separately, the Regional Police Traffic Director (Dirlantas Polda Metro Jaya) Commissioner Sambodo Purnomo Yogo said his party would take firm action in the form of fines for cyclists who violate traffic by crossing the right lane.

"There is a violation of the Road Traffic and Transportation Law (LLAJ), Article 299", said Sambodo, Saturday, May 29.

It is known, the Article 299 of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning LLAJ states that anyone who drives a non-motorized vehicle who deliberately holds on to a motorized vehicle to be pulled over, pulls objects that can endanger other road users, and/or uses the vehicle's lane as charged with a maximum imprisonment of 15 days or a maximum fine of IDR 100.000.

However, said Sambodo, cyclists would be fined if the special road bike lanes were officially opened. Currently, there is a trial run of the road bike track on Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang non-toll flyover (JLNT).

"We have prepared a special road bike lane. After the lane is operational, we will start taking firm action against bikers", said Sambodo.

The beginning of trouble

Without being explained, we understand that the motorcyclist expresses his frustration because the highway is full of cyclists, from the photo. Moreover, the photo was taken on a Wednesday, a working day.

After much discussion, the @goshow.cc Instagram account gave clarification. In an English caption, the account said they were cycling together to celebrate the birthday of one of their community members.

@goshow.cc admitted that they were cycling on the right lane to pass down traffic in Dukuh Atas. This is due to the bus crossing to the Dukuh Atas underpass. After crossing, the road bike cyclists wanted to return to the left lane, suddenly a motorcycle cyclist overtook and raised their middle finger.

This post was responded by the Bike to Work cyclist community. In their Twitter account, B2WIndonesia considers the road bike cyclist in the photo to be selfish.

"What must also be stated and emphasized is that those whose behavior cannot be helped anymore, yes, some of the users of racing bicycles, sportbikes. They have gone too far. They are selfish", wrote the B2WIndonesia account.

What must also be stated and emphasized is that those whose behavior is beyond help yes, some of the users of racing bicycles and sports bicycles. they've gone too far. they are selfish.<1/6>

— Bike2Work Indonesia (@B2WIndonesia) May 29, 2021

Bike to Work agrees that the middle finger of bikers is annoying. However, the racing cyclist who was overtaken was also proven wrong.

"What they (the road bikers in the photo) ignore: the law on road traffic and transportation actually regulates road users for transportation matters, not for sports. Nor (moreover) serving the ego of each person", they said.