Getting around Jakabaring in style

Vietnamese rock climber and SEA Games competitor Nguyen Hau hopped on a pink bicycle and pedaled around Gelora Sriwijaya stadium with his fellow athletes, enjoying some after-training free time.

They dismounted their bikes to take a picture in front of a parade of cars coming for the opening ceremony. Not a minute later, someone tried to use their bikes.

“No, no, that is my bike,” Nguyen said to a woman who was trying to take the bike.

Mobility has become the main concern for anyone moving around in the 325-hectare sports complex in Palembang, South Sumatra, since cars and motorcycles are restricted.

Local organizers rose to the task by providing 400 free bicycles, 325 pedicabs and 26 golf carts as well as 25 liquid petroleum-fuelled Vespa scooters, 20 minivans and 10 buses to transport people around the complex.

“It is a good idea to provide bicycles for athletes … because it is a huge sports complex,” Nguyen told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

“The transportation is free for anyone — from the athletes, officials and press personnel to the public in Jakabaring,” Palembang organizer Muddai Maddang said. “Of course, we will be a bit stricter for some vehicles, such as the scooters, because the keys need to be managed well.”

Bicycles are the most popular transportation for people in Jakabaring, as they are painted with bright colors. A bike only rests at a bicycle rack for a few minutes before another rider comes along.

The minivans and buses are also popular. The air-conditioned buses are in good shape and comfortable, while the non-air-conditioned minivans — regularly used as public minivans — are less so due to their limited space.

Nguyen lauded the condition of the buses but complained about the minivans. “The minivans are OK, but they are a little bit hot.”

An Indonesian journalist named Fitri said that not all of the bikes were top condition. “Some are broken … they either cannot be pedaled or they have no breaks.”

Pedicabs can be spotted around complex as well, but they will only be available after the opening ceremony on Friday.

A pedicab driver who refused to be identified said he was happy to support the Games.

“Usually, I get Rp 60,000 (US$6.72) tops on a daily basis, but for the Games they pay me Rp 200,000 a day,” he said.

Organizers pay Rp 500,000 a day to rent a minivan and a driver.

“It is a good deal for us, as we have to pay Rp 150,000 per day to my boss,” a minivan driver said.