Jakarta Denies Removing Bicycle Lanes, But Changes Them

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Syafrin Liputo clarified that the city administration did not remove existing bicycle lanes on the capital roads. The agency only replaced the stick cones used to mark the boundaries between motorized vehicles and bicycles on 13 roads.

Syafrin also confirmed the video of city officials removing the stick cones, which went viral on social media. “Yes, that's right. We are adjusting [the dividers] on 13 road sections because many of the stick cones are damaged and could be dangerous,” Syafrin told Tempo at Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

The agency planned to replace the stick cones with cat's eyes for the safety of road users. “The bicycle lane is still there, and only the stick cones have been replaced with cat's eyes,” he pointed out.

Syafrin reiterated that many of the stick cones had been hit by cars so the bike lane dividers were no longer functioning properly.

Earlier, internet citizens or netizens suspected that the Jakarta government would remove bicycle lanes in the city after the circulating video of the stick cone removal. They argued that the authority should not recklessly dismantle the bike lanes even if there are not many users. 

They said the Jakarta government should instead evaluate whether the bike lanes have accommodated cyclists, whether they are safe for cyclists, whether there are parking facilities along the road, and whether there is integrated public transport for cyclists.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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