The Half-Hearted Bike Lanes

The road was full of motorbikes and cars, and everyone was stuck in the traffic jam. The loud sirens of police escorting a very important person, or so it seemed, were trying to break through the ridiculous traffic jam. I saw a cyclist struggling to pedal. Every few pedal strokes, she had to stop. The traffic jam made it nearly impossible to keep moving. Sometimes, she had to take a deep breath in the polluted air.

It was a regular Monday, 5 p.m. The weather was humid, and we were all sweating. I have nothing but respect for those who bike to work in a city with such bad traffic like Jakarta.

Jakarta does have bike lanes on many main roads. In total, they could reach up to 300 km in length. On paper, that sounds like a significant achievement. But it's best not to believe everything we read. What actually happens is that in many sections, those bike lanes are used as parking spots by cars, motorbikes, and taxis.

Here's the thing: those bike lanes were initially used by cyclists, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Cycling was booming as a hobby, and the price of bicycles went through the roof. There was also a bike-to-work community that fought for the construction of these lanes. But over time, as the pandemic subsided and people returned to their offices, the traffic got worse. Too many vehicles, not enough streets. Cars and motorcycles taking over the bike lanes became common practice.

There were barriers between the bike lanes and the lanes for motorbikes and cars, usually made up of plastic cones or concrete. But now many of them are damaged, perhaps intentionally, to let motorbikes and cars enter the bike lanes more easily. I'm not surprised. Even motorbikes often ride up onto the pedestrian sidewalks. 🙂

As I mentioned earlier, I respect people who ride their bikes on Jakarta’s congested streets during rush hour. It feels like a battle: cyclists vs. traffic. Considering how easily people can get angry during a traffic jam, cyclists on the road must be ready to dodge danger at every corner.

I hear stories sometimes, whether from the news, radio, or X (formerly known as twitter), about conflicts on the road between cyclists and other road users. To be fair, there are also quite a few cyclists who don't follow the rules. There was once a news story about a peloton of road bikes entering the highway. There was a lot of news about pelotons cutting through traffic, pushing their bikes at high speed, weaving between motorbikes, cars, and large buses, which is extremely dangerous. High risk, really, while accidents are not uncommon either.

With this kind of setting, we need essential gear for cycling: masks for pollution and helmets for safety. This is the bare minimum.

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Despite the chaos, I love this city. I love its vibrant and dynamic life. I love all its ironies. How the towering skyscrapers and gigantic malls hide the dense slums behind them. And when it's not congested, Jakarta is quite enjoyable. This usually happens on weekends, from morning until late afternoon. Because in the evenings, some places can be really crazy with traffic too. Especially when there's an event. And the problem is, there are always events happening here.

In recent developments, it's common to hear that our bike lanes are now called sharing lanes. I think that's appropriate. At least "sharing lanes" reflects what's actually happening. These aren't exclusive bike lanes; they are shared lanes. Motorbikes, cars, and buses can all use them. Let's just cooperate and be respectful.

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On Sundays, we have Car Free Day. It's such a relief to be able to cycle freely on the main roads without worrying about getting hit by cars or motorbikes. However, Car Free Day here is very crowded. Instead of avoiding motorbikes or cars, now we have to be careful not to bump into pedestrians or those running a half marathon.

Cleaner Sky on Car Free Day

Sundays, in general, are much calmer. I can ride on my bicycle much more freely. I can ride through quiet, elite neighborhoods, or visit city parks, hoping for a bit of oxygen to counter the heavy pollution.

Sunday is a good day to strolling around Jakarta

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I hope one day cycling can become a primary mode of transportation in this city. It might seem impossible, considering the hot climate and humidity, and the city was designed with cars as the primary focus. But a little optimism doesn't hurt.

How about you guys? How is daily cycling in your location? Are you commuting by bicycle? Let's hear it in the comments section below.

Cheers!

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