Cycling to work

Cycling to work

We should give a big salute and strong support to the
Indonesian Mountain Biking Community (MTB Indonesia) in
organizing "A Bike to Work Event" on Aug. 6 (The Jakarta Post of
Aug. 7). Let us treat this as a starting point for Jakarta people
who really care about worsening air pollution and congestion. I
am sure the bicycle community understands the constraints they
face, and how to keep cyclists motivated and involve more people
in cycling to work.

Some years ago, if we remember back, former president Soeharto
and his (late) wife, rode bicycles to commemorate special
occasions and to promote public health. On another occasion --
the official inauguration of the University of Indonesia in Depok
-- the rector and his entourage, lecturers and students, declared
the new campus a car-free zone. Unfortunately, these activities
were little more than ceremonial events engaged in just to please
the leaders, and lacked any further action or follow-up programs
to ensure success in reducing air pollution.

Though it will be hard, and almost seems impossible, for the
Jakarta administration to provide special lanes for bicycle
lovers as this would require a lot of money, there are still many
ways in which cycling can be reintroduced to the Jakarta people.

Besides educating public transportation drivers to be more
polite and mindful of cyclists, who as things stand at the moment
are in great danger, public parks, shopping centers, office
buildings, malls and supermarkets should set aside part of their
parking lots for bicycles. Organizing cycling activities as part
of various ceremonial events, and asking people to use bicycles
on public holidays, are other ways of promoting cycling.

PAULUS GUNAWAN
Jakarta