Amid the lack of bike parks and trails in Greater Jakarta, especially for bicycle motorcross (BMX) riders, the University of Indonesia’s Bike Park in Depok, West Java, is an oasis for enthusiasts and athletes alike.

Located in front of the School of Engineering, the bike park was established when cycling communities Mountain Bike Journalists and UI Bowl Kids Community (ROAM UI) joined forces to provide themselves with a proper training facility in 2004.

According to ROAM UI member Jihad Filsabilillah, UI’s Bike Park was originally formed as an unofficial bike track.

Over time, UI students who liked to ride their bicycles there saw potential for developing a professional track.

“We saw that the track was curved like a bowl,” Jihad explained. “That’s why in 2008 we formed the ROAM UI community to begin construction in the area and officially turn it into a bike park.”

To date, the bike park offers various tracks to suit the needs of athletes or hobbyists. It includes roadbike, cross country, pumping, BMX, dirt jump, downhill and dual cross tracks.

On a recent Monday morning, professional cyclists were seen training at the park.

Eleven-year-old professional cyclist Shahnaz Mumtaz whizzed through the jumps on the pumping track. She did not seem to break a sweat despite the rigorous nature of her regimen for the upcoming BMX championships.

Gilang Gumilang, Shahnaz’s father, shouted instructions and compliments to keep his daughter going. Shahnaz trained alongside a fellow 11-year-old athlete named Raiden Raga.

Earlier this month, Raiden won first place in the challenge class at the 2018 BMX Asia Championship in Thailand, where he competed with young athletes from Malaysia, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and the host Thailand.

Clad in an all-white bike jersey, Raiden navigated the bike park’s rough terrain with little to no visible hitch. The wheels of his bike seemed to land on just the right spot at just the right moment.

Raiden’s father, Adam Dwi, visibly marveled at his son’s improved cycling skills.

Besides UI’s Bike Park, Shahnaz and Raiden have also occasionally trained at Satharlan Bike Park on Jl. Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta.

However, they have struggled to find alternative parks and tracks beyond the two default options.

“We have very few bike parks in Jakarta,” said Gilang.

“Alternative bike parks and tracks are sorely needed to familiarize our young athletes with more types of terrain,” Adam explained. “Because sometimes, during international championships, these children become nervous when they ride on tracks that they are not yet familiar with.”

Both Adam and Gilang called on the government to take concrete steps in providing support for young athletes.

“The support doesn’t have to be strictly financial,” Adam said. “It can start with an initiative to build more bike parks and tracks in Jakarta or Greater Jakarta.”

He pointed out the recently completed BMX track in Pulomas, East Jakarta as a reason to be optimistic about government support for the sport.

He added that bike parks and tracks are vital to improving the performance of young athletes.

The sun was starting to dim as the day drifted into the afternoon when Shahnaz and Raiden began the second part of their regimen. They both took turns plowing through the rugged and bumpy terrain of the park. Adam and Gilang cheered on as their children exerted more energy to keep their bicycles moving.

“I dream that our children can someday train with the national cycling team,” Adam said,
watching over the children protectively. “I’m sure it’s within reach.”(rfa)

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