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ifteen members of the Pedestrians’ Coalition (Koalisi Pejalan Kaki) on Friday blocked motorcyclists from riding on sidewalks in front of the Hotel Pullman Jakarta, near the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, as part of a protest against the violation of pedestrian rights.

“Our number may be small, but our impact is large because we were seen by thousands of bikers passing through Jl. MH Thamrin and the traffic circle,” coalition member Alfred Sitorus told The Jakarta Post.

“Our message is clear and simple: we want the pedestrian sidewalks back. It is our basic right, not the bikers’, to use them.”

The protest was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., but heavy rain forced a delay. Protesters started to gather at around 6 p.m., holding signs bearing the words “Pedestrian Walks are for Pedestrians” and “Sidewalks are not for Motorists”.

According to Alfred, protesters joining the rallies came from several organizations, including KRL Mania, the Institute of Transportation Studies, the Indonesian Transportation Society and Suara Transjakarta.

“Some of the protesters are actually pedestrians who met us on the spot and decided to join the protest,” he said.

Several motorcycle riders who rode over the gutter were swiftly blocked by protesters, who then flaunted the signs and told them to get off the sidewalks. The protest ended at around 8 p.m.

Alfred said that the coalition aimed to turn the protest into a weekly event.

“We recorded 30 major thoroughfares throughout Jakarta where sidewalks are mounted by motorbikes. We will conduct protests on these roads, moving from one place to another every week,” he said.

Those thoroughfares include Jl. Jend. Sudirman and Jl. Casablanca, as well as some in Tebet, South Jakarta, and Kota Tua in North Jakarta, Alfred said.

“We won’t stop until the city administration responds to our pleas.”

Pedestrian rallies have become increasingly common in the wake of a horrific car crash that killed nine people and injured four in Gambir, Central Jakarta, two weeks ago.

The accident sparked public outrage against the allegedly reckless driver, who has been accused of being under the influence of drugs when she lost control of the vehicle.

Experts said that the tragedy highlighted the constant threat to pedestrians in Jakarta, which has few safe sidewalks.

A group of pedestrian advocates have been campaigning for Jan. 22 to become known as the Day of the Pedestrians, in remembrance of the victims of the crash.

Jakarta Traffic Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wahyono said that the police would act against street vendors and motorists who occupied sidewalks and left no room for pedestrians.

“We want to return these sidewalks to their original function, which is for pedestrians to walk by safely,” he said. (mim)