Why Do People Like Hanging Out on Flyovers?

In the late afternoon to evening, several flyovers in Jakarta are often crowded with motorists who pause briefly. One point that is particularly busy is the Pasar Rebo Flyover in East Jakarta.

A social observer from Universitas Indonesia, Rissalwan Habdy Lubis, notes there are several factors that lead people to choose flyovers as places to gather or rest. These range from economic reasons, the scarcity of free public spaces, to the community’s need for a more flexible social space.

“Besides being free, it is of course an open place, and if you compare to parks, open spaces in the city are, frankly, in short supply,” Rissalwan said in a WhatsApp communication on Friday (15/5/2026).

According to him, the limited public space in a big city like Jakarta pushes some residents to seek alternative places to gather without spending much.

“There are places, not that there are none at all, but they are far away and usually paid, and typically under some authority,” he added.

Rissalwan said the atmosphere atop the flyover creates a distinct psychological sensation because visitors can view the bustle of the city from a different vantage point.

“So there is a psychological element where a sense of freedom is experienced when they gather there, as if not disturbed by the crowd,” he explained.

According to Rissalwan, some residents also tend to seek social spaces that are not too regulated and do not give the impression of being watched.

“So this is indeed a psychological thing for young people who want to gather but not within strict social boundaries,” he said.

In addition, the city atmosphere in the late afternoon to the evening also acts as a draw. From above the flyover, visitors can watch the flow of traffic, city lights, and Jakarta’s traffic jams, which are considered interesting to observe.

“Apart from gathering and chatting, the activity is also about watching the city’s heartbeat—its hustle and bustle,” said Rissalwan.

Aan (20), a worker from Depok, says he routinely stops at the Pasar Rebo Flyover after finishing work in Kalideres, West Jakarta. Initially, he stopped simply to rest when stuck in traffic on his way home.