Cycling trend propels bicycle production, sales

Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Thanks to bicycle clubs and events promoting cycling as a green mode of transport, bike stores are reporting more sales and renewed enthusiasm for bikes among the community.

Saiful, assistant manager of the Rodalink bicycle chain store on Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, said the store had seen a rise in sales by as much as 20 percent since early this year.

The chain store, which also has outlets in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, and Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, can usually sell up to 50 mountain bikes a month.

"Dozens of new customers came here after the Bike to Work event," Saiful said. "Most were friends of the participants, who had become interested in cycling themselves."

The Indonesian Mountain Bike Association (MTB Indonesia) held the Bike to Work event in August, while the Clean Emission Partnership (MEB) held Car-Free Day last Sunday -- a campaign to reduce air pollution and to urge the city administration to provide bicycle lanes.

There are currently 50 bicycle clubs in Jakarta, each has at least 25 members.

Ronny Liyanto, marketing manager of PT Insera Sena, which produces Polygon bikes and is Rodalink's main supplier, said that his company was expecting an increase in sales and production of between 20 to 30 percent.

"We produced and sold 320,000 bicycles last year," he said. "It's only September, but we have already produced and distributed some 360,000 bicycles this year."

Meilany Suryanata, a representative of PT Terang Dunia Internusa, which produces United bikes, said sales at United had increased by two-fold, but declined to mention a figure.

"Part of it is the result of the recent trend for bicycles over the last two years, besides our own promotional and marketing efforts," she said.

The producers assemble export-quality bikes priced between Rp 500,000 (US$54.46) and Rp 30 million, depending on the components used.

The country's bicycle industry -- comprising some 25 producers and assemblers -- has had its up and downs over the years.

In the 1980s, it was boosted by the trend for BMX bikes, and again, by the popularity of Astra-produced Federal mountain bikes in the early 1990s. However, the industry felt the impact of the economic crisis in 1997.

The bicycle industry is also struggling to change the mind-set of many Jakartans, who prefer to drive their own cars or motorcycles to work.