Yogyakarta Government Issues Guidelines for Cyclists During JFLR, Restricts Access to Malioboro
The Yogyakarta City Government has provided a list of directives for cyclists participating in the Jogja Last Friday Ride (JFLR) on the fourth Friday evening of each month. Besides prohibiting passage through the Malioboro area, cyclists are urged not to swarm crowded public spaces in the city.
This was conveyed by Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo in response to restrictions placed on JFLR cyclists passing through Malioboro. Hasto highlighted the chaos caused when cyclists participating in JFLR descend on Jogja without coordination.
“My hope, and I have conveyed this to the cycling community that rides every Friday of the fourth week, the last week, is that cycling activities are well-coordinated and do not swarm crowded public spaces such as the core zone and buffer zone in Yogyakarta City,” Hasto told reporters on Thursday (9/7/2026).
Hasto explained that when the flow of cyclists floods the streets without regulation, officers are forced to implement traffic management by situationally closing certain lanes. He added that traffic in the Yogyakarta city area is already congested on weekend nights.
“In circumstances like this, we have to condition the situation. When we are swarmed by cyclists on Saturday nights or weekend nights without rules and without coordination, it is very difficult. So, we end up closing certain lanes at that very moment,” he stressed.
Hasto emphasised that the restrictions do not mean a ban on cycling in Yogyakarta City. He hopes that JFLR activities can proceed in a more orderly manner through better coordination. “I hope that, even though this community has no formal structure, no chairperson, no organisation, I believe there are leaders who can provide direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police stated that the restrictions on cyclists in the Malioboro area were a response to complaints from street vendors. The cycling convoys were said to disturb visitors and cause traffic jams.
“Essentially, our activity of directing cyclists not to enter Malioboro has been going on for a long time, following the incident in edition 184 or 185. We adopted a temporary policy because we had tried to communicate with friends at JFLR but received no answer or response. Ultimately, we cannot impose a total ban,” said Yogyakarta Police Head of Traffic Unit AKP Alvian Hidayat when contacted by detikJogja on Thursday (2/7).
Alvian explained that his party does not prohibit the cyclists from carrying out their activities. They are simply asked not to pass through Malioboro. Although some cyclists still enter through the side alleys of Malioboro, the number has significantly decreased compared to before.
“Our anticipatory measure is to deploy personnel at the main entrances in front of Hotel De Djokja and also in front of the Teteg Post at Loco Cafe. When we see cyclists, we direct them to go straight west towards Pasar Kembang,” he said.
He admitted that managing JFLR activities is overwhelming because there is no clear organisation or person in charge, making coordination difficult. “This is ultimately the obstacle for the government in communicating with them. In fact, everything needs communication so that it can be properly organised and no party feels disadvantaged,” he explained.
Previously, Jogja Last Friday Ride (JFLR) spoke out regarding the route restrictions in the Malioboro area of Yogyakarta. They stated they are ready for evaluation.
In a statement received by detikJogja, JFLR highlighted the irony that traffic jams caused by the dominance of motorised vehicles are considered normal, while citizen activities such as cycling and walking in public spaces are deemed a disturbance.
“What is ironic today is not just a debate about a cycling activity, but about how we view road space,” JFLR wrote in its statement through a representative who declined to be named, on Thursday (9/7).
JFLR 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 activity aims to celebrate cycling culture while reminding people 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, respect regulations, and minimise the impact on the community. If there are shortcomings in its implementation, we are open to evaluation and improvement,” the statement read.