Jogja 'Mobbed' by Cyclists During JLFR, City Government Steps In

The Yogyakarta City Government has begun restricting the Jogja Last Friday Ride (JLFR), the cycling event held every fourth Friday night that passes through the Malioboro area. Participants are also being asked not to swarm public spaces during JLFR.

The move comes in response to the growing crowds of cyclists during JLFR. The city feels as though it is being ‘mobbed’ by cyclists from various regions.

“So, in a situation like this, we do need to manage things. On Saturday nights or weekend nights, if we are swarmed by bikes without rules, without coordination, it becomes very difficult. So in the end we closed certain routes at those times,” Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta Hasto told journalists on Thursday (9/7/2026).

He stressed that the city is not banning cycling activities outright. Rather, the city government will regulate certain routes whenever JLFR takes place.

“Perhaps what is restricted is cycling at that particular time, on Friday nights. Friday night is the exception, because on those nights the bikes entering Yogyakarta are unexpected, unplanned and unprogrammed, arriving from every direction into the city, so they severely disrupt traffic,” he explained.

Hasto also expressed hope that the event could be better coordinated in future, particularly so that cyclists do not crowd the core zone and buffer zone of Yogyakarta, which serve as centres of community activity.

“I hope that, although this community has no formal structure — there is no chairman, no organisation — I am sure there are actually leaders who could provide direction,” he said.

“That is my hope, and I convey it to the cycling community that, if I am not mistaken, meets on the fourth Friday of each month: we hope the rides can be well coordinated and not swarm crowded public spaces such as the core zone and buffer zone of Yogyakarta,” he concluded.

JLFR Ready to Evaluate

Previously, Jogja Last Friday Ride (JLFR) broke its silence regarding the route restrictions in the Malioboro area, saying it is ready to be evaluated.

In a statement received by detikJogja, JLFR highlighted the irony that congestion caused by the dominance of motor vehicles is regarded as normal, whilst residents’ activities such as cycling and walking in public spaces are seen as a nuisance.

“The irony today is not merely a debate about a cycling event, but about how we view road space,” JLFR wrote in its statement, delivered through a representative who declined to be named, on Thursday (9/7/2026).

JLFR stressed that from the outset the community was not formed to take over the roads or obstruct people’s activities. According to the group, Last Friday Ride aims to celebrate cycling culture whilst reminding everyone that roads are public spaces that should be enjoyed fairly, safely and with mutual respect by all users.

“We are aware that every activity in public space must be conducted in an orderly manner, respecting the rules and minimising the impact on the community. If there are shortcomings in its execution, we are open to evaluation and improvement,” the statement read.

Police Reveal Communication Difficulties

The restriction of cyclists in Malioboro during JLFR has already begun. Head of the Traffic Unit at Yogyakarta City Police, AKP Alvian Hidayat, said the roadblocks were set up because the police had difficulty establishing communication.

“Fundamentally, directing the activity away from Malioboro has been underway for some time, after the incidents in edition 184 or 185. We adopted a temporary policy because we tried to communicate with the JLFR community but received no response, and a total ban is simply not possible,” Alvian told detikJogja on Thursday (2/7/2026).

“People want to cycle — how could we forbid that? We cannot totally ban people from cycling. So in the end we did not allow them through the main Malioboro route,” he continued.

So far, police have restricted cyclists by setting up roadblocks. These are carried out every Friday at the end of the month.

“Our anticipatory step is to position personnel at the main entry points, in front of Hotel De Djokja and in front of Pos Teteg at Loco Cafe. When cyclists arrive, we direct them straight west, towards Pasar Kembang,” he said.