TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairperson of cycling community 'Bike to Work Indonesia' Poetoet Soedarjanto expressed his concern after the House of Representatives (DPR) pitched the idea to remove the city’s permanent bike lane during a meeting with the Chief of National Police.

Poetoet asserted that the construction of a dedicated lane for bicycles is protected under the Law.

"An abundance of Articles are contained within the Traffic Law and Transportation No.22/2009," Poetoet said on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

The Bike to Work chairperson insisted that the construction of a permanent bike lane in 2021 was already approved by the circular letter issued by the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry. Poetoet said that the lane stretching from Sudirman to Thamrin street in central Jakarta classifies as a 'Type A' bike lane under the Ministry's circular.

Poetoet believed that removing the bike lane will be a detriment while "other countries are racing to build bicycle lanes."

Poetoet insisted that it is better to discipline a few undisciplined cyclists rather than pitching the idea of a total removal.

As previously reported, Commission III House legislator Ahmad Sahroni commented on the problem of cyclists using lanes that are not specifically intended for bicycles. Ahmad raised this issue, which has become a popular public discussion following a number of viral incidents involving a certain group of cyclists, in a hearing with the National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

Despite pitching the idea of removing the bike lane, the legislator assures that cyclists will be given room to operate in the city.

TEMPO.CO