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