Reasons Why the DIY Regional Government Permits Jogja Last Friday Ride to Pass Through Malioboro
The mass cycling event Jogja Last Friday Ride (JLFR) has been permitted to enter Jogja’s Malioboro area. The Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) government has stressed that there is no ban on JLFR.
Head of the DIY Transportation Agency (Dishub), Chrestina Erni Widyastuti, stated that neither the DIY Regional Government nor the Jogja City Government has issued a prohibition on cycling activities in the Malioboro area. She explained that all road users have the right to utilise the road on this icon of Jogja City.
“So, if the assumption is that we are banning it, that is not true, because everyone has the same rights. But it is about how we can also give rights to other road users who are not cycling. Everyone must share the space and respect each other,” Erni said after attending a Cross-Agency Coordination Meeting regarding the JLFR event at Jogja City Hall on Monday (20/7/2026).
Erni continued that this affirmation was to respond to public concerns and circulating issues about a total ban on cycling in the Malioboro area. It is understood that the issue arose following the disciplining of JLFR participants in the Malioboro area on Friday (26/6).
Erni then emphasised that JLFR participants must demonstrate orderly conduct, mutual respect, and consideration, given the limited space on Malioboro’s streets. Therefore, if JLFR participants fill the road, it is feared they could disrupt other road users.
Erni hopes that the JLFR participants at the end of this month can provide equal rights to other road users who are not cycling. She also urged that JLFR be conducted in an orderly manner and continue to obey traffic regulations.
“Do not fail to comply. If one gets stuck, everything will become crowded,” Erni said.
Meanwhile, Jogja Mayor Hasto Wardoyo confirmed that there would be no excessive security measures during the JLFR event on 31 July 2026.
“The city government together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) welcomes the JLFR event. There is no problem, no ban, no special security scheme, none of that. What is clear is that we will mostly accompany them, just accompany them,” Hasto said.
Regarding the movement and routes of participants, Hasto said that the group of cyclists participating in JLFR can enter the centre of Jogja City from various directions. There are no entry route restrictions for participants coming from surrounding areas.
He also confirmed that the core area of the Philosophical Axis, including Malioboro, remains open and can be traversed by cyclists as usual. Hasto explained that participants can enter the city from various areas, such as Bantul, Kulon Progo, Sleman, and the eastern part of Jogja.
“I think all routes can be used to enter, and Malioboro is open, the point is it is open,” Hasto stressed.