Anies Baswedan Angry At The Announcement Of Road Bike Routes, Deputy Governor Of DKI: I'm Just Answering Questions

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and his deputy Riza Patria (Photo: DKI Jakarta Public Relations)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria has rolled out a plan that DKI Governor Anies Baswedan wants to provide special lanes for road bike cyclists on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman to MH Thamrin.

The track for racing cyclists on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin is open Monday-Friday from 05.00 WIB to 06.30 WIB. Meanwhile, bicycles other than road bikes are still required to pass on permanent bicycle lanes.

When the information was spread, Anies asked all DKI Provincial Government officials not to spread the plan because it had not been discussed in a final way. Answering this, Riza admitted that he only answered questions from the media that needed confirmation.

"Regarding road bikes, I only answer what my media friends ask," said Riza at DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Thursday, June 3.

Riza said the plan to test a special lane for road bike cyclists in Sudirman-Thamrin had been announced by the DKI Transportation Service in a meeting with the Polda Metro Jaya and the Indonesian Sport Bike Association (ISSI) on May 31.

"May 31 at 10.00 it has been previously announced by the meeting, let's say by the Transportation Agency. Friends (media) that day asked about it. This has been circulated and announced before me. So, there is nothing wrong here ," explained Riza.

Previously, Anies was reluctant to explain the plan to provide a special road bike lane along Sudirman-Thamrin. He warned his subordinates not to announce a policy before it was fully discussed.

"I always underline, don't be the manager of the state, the government, announce it before making the rules. I feel sorry for the officers in the field," said Anies.

"So, we first prepare the documents, prepare the rules first, then they will be announced. Otherwise, there will be trouble in the field," he continued.