The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 07/20/2010 10:55 AM
Cyclistsattending the first Bicycle Congress of Indonesia (KSI) last weekend at theSultan Hotel in Central Jakarta, have shown support for authorities to improvethe safety and comfort of cyclists including implementing bike lanes.
Some ofthe 4,000 bikers joining the congress even cycled from as far as Central Java.
Forexample, the 63-year-old farmer Juid from Dukuh Waru village in Tegal, CentralJava. He told The Jakarta Post that he cycled for three days to reach thecongress.
“Ialways love to gather with other cyclists to share the same love for thesport,” Juid said adding that cycling was his main form of privatetransportation.
The ricefarmer said he cycled alone to the congress and sacrificed sleep.
He didnot have enough money to join a group from his hometown, which asked Rp 150,000(US$16) for the transportation fee.
“If Ifelt sleepy, I stopped at a coffee stall and drunk a cup of black coffee withsalt,” he said smoking a clove cigarette.
Juiddeparted from his village last Wednesday and arrived about 4 a.m. lastSaturday.
He saidthat he loved riding bicycles because it was healthy and he could meet newpeople.
“I hopewe can organize similar activities like this in our village,” Juid said.
Eightteachers from a state vocational high school in Sumedang also cycled toJakarta. It took about 16 hours to reach the capital.
Oneteacher, Ony Kaswoyo, 54, said that he loved to see cyclists gathered becausethey were sociable because had things in common.
“I metsome people in the previous cyclists meeting, they know each other well. Ithink we should hold more events like this in the future,” Ony said.
He saidthat he liked cycling in Jakarta, however, he said the city should have a bikelane.
“It isdifficult for us to cycle in the lanes used by buses and other vehicles,” hesaid.
Anotherteacher, K.H. Sarbini, 43, encountered a challenge when his group began cyclingto Jakarta.
“We werelost late at night in the middle of nowhere.
“We lostour way, so we decided to take a break,” he said.
However,he said that he would join another event in the future.
As partof the event, the KSI declared Saturday a new committee called the IndonesianBicycle Committee with South Jakarta Mayor Syahrul Effendi acting as itschairman.
“Thecommittee will be the voice of the cycling communities to the government.
“We willkeep making recommendations to improve the safety and comfort of cyclists,”Syahrul said. (not)
No comments:
Post a Comment