Road Bike Can Enter JLNT, Bike To Work Will Hold Protest Action

Photo: Instagram @b2w_indonesia

JAKARTA - The Bike to Work Indonesia cyclist community will hold a protest against the policy that road bike cyclists are allowed to cross the Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang Nontol Flyover (JLNT).

In the @b2w_indonesia Instagram account, the protest action called Black Day will be held at the end of the JLNT in the direction of Kota Kasablanka.

"Bike2Work Indonesia, together with RSA @rsaindonesia, and the Coalition of Pedestrians @koalisipejalankaki invite bicycle activists, pedestrians, and other road users (including two-wheelers and four-wheelers) to take part in the Black Day action", wrote the Bike to Work account, Thursday, June 10.

Bike to Work will take action on Sunday, June 13 at 06.00-07.00 WIB wearing black clothes. They will perform theatrical sowing of flowers around road bike signs, followed by reading a statement of attitude.

This action was carried out by Bike to Work as a form of protest and social control against the discriminatory policies made by the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, through the DKI Jakarta Transportation Service.

Bike to Work reminds policymakers to be consistent with the rules and not discriminatory, according to Law Number 38 of 2004, where the function of roads is for transportation.

"This action is also by #hakatasrasaamanpesepeda, the safety of the cyclists themselves, and at the same time the principle of justice. One of the reasons why motorbikes are prohibited from crossing the JLNT is the safety factor, including the high wind factor", he said.

For information, the DKI Provincial Government allows special road bikes to pass JLNT Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang on Saturdays and Sundays, from 05.00 WIB to 08.00 WIB.

Currently, the road bike trial for JLNT has been going on for three weeks. Head of the DKI Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that there was a significant increase in the volume of road bike cyclists.

On the first day of testing, 1,666 road bike cyclists were crossing the JLNT. In the second week, the number increased to .2,499, and in the third week, it increased to 4,005 road bike users who entered JLNT.

"So we need to understand that the interest in using bicycles, whether it's as a sporting tool or a transport vehicle, has increased quite sharply," said Syafrin, some time ago.

Syafrin denied that the DKI Provincial Government threatened racing cyclists. "No one spoils anyone. We, the DKI Provincial Government, continue to prioritize the safety of its citizens", he said.

Syafrin explained that the reason his party gave a special lane was that road bike cyclists needed a quieter track because they were traveling at high speed. If the track is combined in a bicycle lane or mixed with motorists, the risk of an accident will be high.

"The provision of JLNT as a road bike track is a manifestation of the DKI Provincial Government's presence for sports bicycles. When they are in the traffic room together with other road users, the safety and comfort aspects can be guaranteed, from the side of road bike users and other vehicle users", he explained.