Vacationers opt to ride with the wind in their hair

Vacationers opt to ride with the wind in their hair

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

It is not surprising that more and more people are choosing to
ride their motorcycles to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri
this year, although they may have to spend more than 10 hours on
the road under the scorching sun and drenching rain.

While lower fuel costs are among the most important
considerations, of course, for many motorcyclists the freedom to
arrange the trip schedule is another main reason for taking the
bike.

"If we take the train or a flight, it would be too expensive.
If we take or rent a car or bus, we have to deal with the traffic
jams, and we have to stay inside the vehicle most of the time.

"On motorcycles, we can stop anywhere at any time if we feel
tired trying to get through the traffic congestion," Sigit, a
graphic designer for lifestyle magazine Lisa, told The Jakarta
Post over the weekend.

Sigit and his friends from various bikers clubs, who often
go on long-distance trips with their motorcycles, acknowledged
that this year many of them had decided to return home by
motorcycle even though it meant that they had to leave their
spouses and children at home for security and health reasons.

According to interim data from the Office of the State
Minister for the Environment, at least 400 motorcycles of various
types from dozens of clubs in Jakarta had been checked for
emission levels as part of preparations before departure.

They will depart in batches from many points across the city,
including the favorite, the eastern parking lot at the Bung Karno
sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, starting Saturday
evening - depending on the members' respective vacations from
work - in order to reach their parents' hometowns by Nov. 3, the
first day of the holiday.

Yamahariders chairman Siswahyono estimated that it would only
cost him a total of Rp 175,000 for the trip to Solo, a town in
Central Java, which amount included fuel, lubricant and food.

"If I used another brand of oil, the cheaper one, the cost
would only be Rp 150,000 per trip," said Siswahyono, who works as
an export manager for tire producer Bridgestone and decided long
ago to leave his car at home and use his motorcycle to travel to
work every day.

Since the government raised fuel prices by up to 126 percent
on Oct. 1, many people have been complaining about having to
tighten their belts as a large part of their daily expenses now
goes on transportation costs and the increasing prices of basic
necessities.

To make ends meet, many Jakarta residents have decided not to
travel home this year as not only would they have to spend a lot
of money on the trip but also buy Idul Fitri gifts for relatives.

Another biker, Andhika, who is an interior designer and owns a
building firm, suggested that the government pay more attention
to motorcyclists by providing special lanes so that they don't
have to ride on the sidewalk.

"We cannot deny that more people have shifted to
motorcycles ... not only because of the high cost of fuel, but
also because it has become a trend among professionals who want a
more economic and faster form of transportation, even with the
heavy traffic," he explained.

I-BOX

Tips for first-time motorcycle vacationers

1. Have your bike thoroughly checked. Each producer has safety
standards for its motorcycles, so remove all unnecessary
accessories.
2. Don't forget to bring a spare tire. A flat tire is the most
common incident during a long-distance trip.
3. Don't bring too much luggage. Just bring clothes for a two-day
trip and a raincoat. If you have to bring a lot of things, mail
them. Make sure that you don't bring too much cash in your
wallet. You can always find ATMs in big cities and towns along
the way.
4. Wear a full-face helmet, a mask and gloves.
5. Wear a bright-colored, spotlighted jacket with body protector
and jeans underneath. It's better to wear touring pants. Don't
wear tight underwear.
6. Make sure you wear boots or sports shoes that cover your
ankles.
7. It's safer to make a stop at gas stations. These are also good
places to meet other vacationers on motorcycles with whom you can
share the rest of the trip.
8. Night is the best time to make the trip because the traffic is
lighter. Don't force yourself to go through the rain. You have to
be fit for the trip back again.

From various sources