Manggarai Cycle Lane Becomes Rubbish Dump, Community: Government Must Act

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — The cycle lane on Jalan Dr. Saharjo in Manggarai, South Jakarta, which should serve as a safe space for cyclists, has instead changed function. The green paint marking the lane is fading, while parts of the route are used for illegal parking, street vendor stalls, and temporary rubbish accumulation sites. This condition is deemed to endanger cyclists’ safety and indicates weak supervision of public facilities. The first point is next to Pasaraya Manggarai, specifically on Jalan IV Bhakti. The second point is in front of the Manggarai Bus Shelter or Taman Infinia. As a result, the cycle lane at these two points is no longer smooth. Parts of the road surface are potholed, and the lane marking paint has also disappeared. The condition of the Manggarai cycle lane, which has largely changed function, has drawn attention from the Bike to Work (B2W) Indonesia community. B2W Indonesia General Chairman Hendro Subroto has asked the government not to remain silent regarding the rampant repurposing of cycle lanes in Jakarta. “This is a representation of human behaviour that is not yet civilised. It cannot be ignored; the government or local authorities, as the responsible parties, must take action,” said Hendro in a written statement received by Kompas.com on Thursday (23/4/2026). He opined that public spaces must be used according to their purpose, including cycle lanes that should be for cyclists’ mobility, not as rubbish dumping sites. The cycle lane at the location is often impassable because it is used as a vehicle parking area, both motorcycles, bajaj, and cars. Hendro emphasised that cyclists are actually not troubled by traversing various terrains. However, the problem is the risk due to the neglect of cyclists’ rights. “The question is how difficult it is to enforce the law so that cyclists’ rights can be properly upheld,” Hendro added. In fact, cyclists’ rights are regulated in Law No. 22 of 2009, which states that cyclists are road users with the second priority hierarchy after pedestrians.