Yogyakarta Transport Agency Open to Talks on Regulating JLFR Cycling Event in Malioboro
The Yogyakarta City Transportation Agency (Dishub) has opened the possibility of allowing the Jogja Last Friday Ride (JLFR) cycling event to pass through the Malioboro area again, provided a mutually agreed arrangement is reached. Dishub Kota Jogja Head Agus Arif Nugroho stated that the city government is not prohibiting cycling activities, but the large-scale JLFR event needs to be regulated to maintain the comfort and safety of all road users.
“This is also about maintaining balance and comfort for all parties, so we will analyse it. The Mayor has also said there is no ban. We must not let this become a different story. Prohibiting and regulating are two different things. We will analyse how to make everyone comfortable,” Agus said when contacted on Friday (17/7/2026).
He added that the analysis includes whether the event should be allowed to pass through Malioboro, considering the many pedestrians enjoying the area. Agus explained that the city government is studying the pattern of arrangements for JLFR to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users. He noted that when a large mass of cyclists takes to the streets, safety becomes a primary concern.
Agus emphasised that the city government supports the growth of cycling culture in Yogyakarta. The administration is open to discussions with communities or initiators of cycling activities so that the movement can continue to develop without neglecting the comfort of other road users. “I actually hope that whatever the activity or moral cycling movement, if there are initiators, let’s discuss it together. How to make cycling activities in Yogyakarta continue to grow so that more people are interested in cycling for their daily activities,” he said.
He concluded by urging everyone to work together to maintain the city. “Let’s protect our beloved Yogyakarta together. How to ensure that everyone’s activities, whatever they may be, remain comfortable for all,” he added.
Previously, the city administration had moved to restrict JLFR from passing through the Malioboro area and asked cyclists not to overwhelm public spaces. Mayor Hasto Wardoyo stated that the restriction was a response to the overwhelming number of cyclists from various regions converging on the city during the event, making traffic management difficult without proper coordination. He clarified that the policy is not a ban but an arrangement of routes during the monthly Friday night ride. The Mayor expressed hope that the cycling community, despite its informal structure, could coordinate better to avoid swarming core and buffer zones of the city.