TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission B chairman Abdul Aziz asked the city’s Transportation Agency to find alternative areas other than toll roads to be set as temporary bike lanes.

“I think there are still other alternatives, other places. It should not necessarily toll roads,” said Aziz on Thursday, August 27.

He said that should the transportation agency need a long track, there are city streets available, such as Jalan Kemayoran that could be marked as bicycle lanes or even used for bike racing.

The security and safety of the bikers on toll roads are also at a higher risk than on ordinary streets. Aziz urged the city’s officials to prioritize public safety.

The DPRD Commission B, he added, would ask for the Transportation Agency’s explanation regarding the bike lane on toll roads. The legislators would not hesitate to request for the plan cancellation if it is not safe for the community.

Aziz said his side was waiting for the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry’s decision. “We will of course call them in later. We will evaluate it. If it is not safe, we will ask for a cancelation. But this is still a suggestion, we do not yet know whether it will be permitted by the ministry or not,” he concluded.

Previously reported, the PUPR Ministry’s Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) claimed it was mulling over the request of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan for a bicycle lane along a section of the inner-city toll road.

Read: BPJT Studies Anies Baswedan's Request for Bike Lanes on Toll Road

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ