As free as motorcyclists<\/p>\n
Drivers in Jakarta need to be even more heedful and patient on
\nthe streets these days as they are full of speeding motorcyclists
\nwho invariably violate almost every traffic regulation that
\nexists. Worse, most motorcyclists exhibit a strange habit of
\nprotesting or challenging car drivers who are just upset due to
\ntheir dangerous behavior and maneuvers on the street.<\/p>\n
Crossroads are now becoming danger zones as motorcyclists
\nusually go straight through the red light, braving the flow of
\nvehicles from the other direction. Drivers must be also more
\ncareful even driving in the correct lane as there are times when
\na speeding motorcycle suddenly appears from the opposite
\ndirection in the same lane.<\/p>\n
Saturday night has become a special night out for
\nmotorcyclists who join clubs according to the make of their
\nmotorbike. They usually ride in a large group around the city,
\nchallenging the traffic by making a road block so cars cannot
\nenter. The motorcyclists are usually angry if a driver honks the
\nhorn in protest over their behavior.<\/p>\n
The city streets totaling less than 8,000 kilometers in length
\nare crowded by at least 2.5 million motorcycles. A Jakarta-based
\ndaily reported the other day that Jakarta is fast becoming city
\nof motorcycles. It's true that the growing number of motorcycles
\nin the capital has become unexpectedly significant.<\/p>\n
Financial reasons seem to motivate people to buy a motorcycle.
\nAn office boy of a private company said he had just bought a
\nJapanese motorcycle, worth around Rp 12 million, with only Rp
\n250,000 as a down payment. Several showrooms in Jakarta even
\noffer credit without a down payment.<\/p>\n
Riding a motorcycle is much more economical than taking public
\ntransportation. With only two liters of fuel (worth less then Rp
\n5,000), a man living in the town of Tangerang, for instance, can
\nride to work and back. Motorcycles have also proven the most
\npractical and stealthiest way to crisscross through the congested
\nstreets. Using a motorcycle to go to work is also seen as a way
\nto be independent, as one can leave whenever one wants to without
\nhaving to wait for public transportation, which is seen as
\nuncomfortable and unsafe.<\/p>\n
The problem now is the fact that motorcycles have become
\ntroublesome to other motorists. Motorcyclists' unpredictable
\nmaneuvers, which have frequently caused accidents -- some of them
\nfatal -- pose a serious problem to drivers. No wonder car drivers
\nwere glad to hear about the proposal to make special lanes for
\nmotorcycles. So far, motorcycles have been restricted from
\nentering the fast lanes on thoroughfares Jl. Sudirman and Jl.
\nThamrin.<\/p>\n
It was Sr. Comr. Djoko Susilo, chief of the Jakarta Traffic
\nPolice division who proposed a special lane for motorcycles. The
\nmotorcycle lanes are expected to make the traffic more orderly
\nand at the same time help traffic police uphold regulations.
\n"The small fines fail to deter traffic violators and yet make
\nmotorcyclists repeat the offense," said Djoko.<\/p>\n
While official discussions among relevant institutions have
\nyet to take place and a public debate on the plan is not in the
\nminds of city decision makers, Head of Jakarta Ground
\nTransportation Agency Rustam Effendi has expressed disagreement
\nwith the proposed motorcycle lane. He argues that there is no
\nspace for the lanes. The existing streets would become narrower
\nonce the motorcycle lanes are made, he argues.<\/p>\n
Motorcycle lanes are actually only part of a grand scenario to
\nmake Jakarta traffic more humane. Motorcycle lanes will mean
\nnothing if law enforcement remains limp.<\/p>\n
As many say that the damage has been done, the only remedy to
\nthe existing chaotic transportation system in Jakarta is the
\nestablishment of an appropriate mass rapid transit (MRT) system.
\nHowever, the administration prefers toll road construction to
\nestablishing an MRT system. The city managers are obviously
\nunaware that constructing new toll roads will only let
\nmotorcycles flock the existing non-toll roads.<\/p>\n
While Jakartans are puzzled by the administrator's policy on
\ntransportation, they might have been more surprised by Governor
\nSutiyoso's response to the significant increase in the number of
\nmotorcycles. "I am concerned (gelisah)," he was quoted as saying
\nby a local daily. Gelisah can mean worried, anxious, upset,
\nbothered or disturbed. Whatever the governor meant by that, he
\nhas done nothing to curb the increasing number of motorcycles.<\/p>\n
Cooperation is needed with relevant (government) institutions
\nto control the number of motorcycles, and fines should have been
\ngiven on the street once motorcyclists started to be more
\naggressively defy regulations.<\/p>\n
This all means that the city managers have failed to
\ndemonstrate a proper vision in solving public transportation
\nproblems. And Jakartans will still face the hardship of surviving
\nwild traffic conditions in the next decade, whereas the
\nadministrator may just say, "I am bothered and concerned".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/as-free-as-motorcyclists-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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