Mayor Hasto Reveals Reason for Restricting JLFR from Entering Malioboro: Disrupts Traffic

The Yogyakarta City Government (Pemkot) has firmly restricted the Jogja Last Friday Ride (JLFR), a cycling activity held every Friday night in the fourth week of the month, from passing through the Malioboro area. Mayor of Yogyakarta, Hasto Wardoyo, revealed the reasons behind the decision. “Perhaps, the bicycles that are prohibited are those at that time, on that Friday night. Friday night is an exception because the bicycles entering Yogyakarta city are unexpected, unplanned, and unprogrammed, coming in full from all directions into the city, thus severely disrupting traffic,” Hasto told reporters on Thursday (9/7/2026). Hasto explained that when the flow of cyclists crowds the streets without regulation, officers are forced to implement traffic engineering by closing certain lanes situationally. “In a situation like this, we indeed have to condition things. When we are swarmed by bicycles without rules, without coordination on a Saturday night or weekend night, it is very difficult. So, we end up closing certain lanes at that very moment,” he stressed. Hasto emphasised that the restriction does not mean banning the public from cycling in Yogyakarta City. He hopes the JLFR activity can take place in a more orderly manner through better coordination. “I hope that, even though this community is informal and has no chairperson or formal organisation, I believe there is actually a leader who can provide direction,” he said. He also requested that JLFR participants not crowd the core zone or buffer zone of Yogyakarta City, which are centres of public activity. “My hope is, and I have conveyed to the cycling community that on the last Friday or last Sunday of the month, we hope cycling can be well-coordinated and not invade crowded public spaces like the core zone and buffer zone of Yogyakarta City,” he concluded. Previously, JLFR spoke out regarding the route restrictions in the Malioboro area, stating they are ready for evaluation. In a statement received by detikJogja, JLFR highlighted the irony that congestion caused by the dominance of motor vehicles is considered normal, whereas citizens’ activities such as cycling and walking in public spaces are deemed a disturbance. “The irony today is not merely a debate about a cycling activity, but about how we view road space,” JLFR stated through a representative who declined to be named on Thursday (9/7/2026). JLFR asserted that from the beginning, the community was not formed to dominate the roads or hinder public activities. According to them, the Last Friday Ride aims to celebrate cycling culture while reminding everyone that roads are public spaces that should be enjoyed fairly, safely, and with mutual respect by all users. “We realise that every activity in public spaces must be conducted in an orderly manner, respecting the rules, and minimising the impact on the community. If there are shortcomings in its implementation, we are open to evaluation and improvement,” the statement read.