Ombudsman Says The National Police Chief Cannot Immediately Agree That The Permanent Bicycle Lane Will Be Dismantled Without Discussion With Anies

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: Instagram @aniesbaswedan)

JAKARTA - The Chief Representative of the Ombudsman for Greater Jakarta, Teguh Nugroho, thinks that the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo cannot immediately approve the proposal from the Indonesian House of Representatives to dismantle the permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin.

According to Teguh, the police must have an intense dialogue with the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan and the ranks of the DKI Provincial Government first.

Also, open public participation and make evidence-based studies as well as compliance with existing regulations before deciding whether to demolish or not.

"The National Police cannot immediately approve the proposal to dismantle the bicycle lane barrier without having an intense dialogue with the DKI Provincial Government," said Teguh to reporters, Friday, June 18.

Teguh said this refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number 59 of 2020 concerning Cycling Safety.

In the regulation, Article 13 Paragraph (3) letter d states that the stipulation for bicycle lanes and/or bicycle lanes located on primary collector roads connecting the provincial capitals with district or city capitals, primary collector roads connecting between capital cities regencies or cities, and provincial strategic roads in the DKI area are determined by the Governor of DKI.

Then, in Paragraph (4) letter f related to the provisions regarding the need for bicycle lane standards, including the barrier between bicycle lanes and in the same regulation, it is indeed obligatory to have traffic barriers for bicycle lanes adjacent to motorized vehicle lanes.

"The provisions in the Ministerial Regulation must have passed a comprehensive study from the Ministry of Transportation before enacting it as a Ministerial Regulation to maintain the safety of road users, both motorized vehicle users, cyclists and pedestrians," explained Teguh.

Teguh views, regulations regarding standards and utilization of roads, special lanes for cyclists and sidewalks regulated in the regulations of the Minister of Transportation have been prepared and determined based on scientific studies in accordance with the competence of the Ministry of Transportation.

"So if you want to make changes to the standards and use of roads, special lanes or pedestrians, a study must be carried out first by those who want to make changes, including the National Police if you want to remove the bicycle lane barrier," he said.

Previously, Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR Ahmad Sahroni asked the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit to review the permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman-MH Thamrin that was created by the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan.

"Please Mr. Chief of Police to evaluate the permanent bicycle path that already exists in Sudirman-Thamrin," said Sahroni, during a working meeting of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission III with the National Police at the Parliament Building.

In fact, Sahroni suggested that the permanent bicycle lane with a program cost of Rp30 billion be dismantled. Because, apart from being prone to accidents, the permanent lane makes it difficult for other vehicles if the traffic is heavy.

"Please, the National Police Chief and his staff, especially the Korlantas here to address the permanent route, will be reviewed. If necessary, it will be dismantled and all road actors can use the road," he said.

Responding to this, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo agreed with the proposal from Commission III of the DPR RI which asked for permanent bicycle lanes to be dismantled.

"In principle, related to bicycle lanes, we will continue to look for the right formula. We agree that the permanent (lane) problem should be dismantled," said Sigit.