The Jakarta Post
Street party: A reggae band performs during World Car Free Day and the 10th year of its implementation in Jakarta on Jl. MH Thamrin on Sunday. During the event, the administration rewarded community groups and activists who have supported the traffic-free policy.(JP/Ricky Yudhistira)Ten years ago, 48-year-old Wayan, who loves to ride his racing bike every weekend, had to vie with motorists along Jl. Jenderal Sudirman to Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta to enjoy a rare moment to exercise.Since 2002, however, the city government has closed the route to cars between 6 and 11 a.m. on the last Sunday of every month in a bid to reduce air pollution while at the same time providing space for people like Wayan and others to enjoy morning fresh air around the business district.“I cycled along the route for years before it was established as a car-free area on weekends. Ten years after the even...