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Cyclists swarm Jagorawi toll road despite safety concerns
Aside from generally flouting the COVID-19 health protocol, some of Jakarta's residents were seen flouting long-established traffic rules as they rode their bicycles on the toll road on Sunday.
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Cyclists ride along Jl. Sudirman in Jakarta on Aug. 9. Although the Jakarta administration has canceled the regular Car Free Day (CFD) on Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin, the area is still packed with people who want to exercise. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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group of cyclists reportedly rode down the Jagorawi toll road on Sunday afternoon, raising concerns for their safety among motorists.
The cyclists could be seen riding along both shoulders of the toll road in a video clip posted to the @infojawabarat Instagram account, which also shows some cyclists even crossing over to the opposite side while a truck drives past them.
In a statement issued on Monday, state-run toll road operator Jasa Marga confirmed that the incident occurred at 11 a.m. near the Ciawi tollgate in Bogor, West Java.
A representative from the company, Oemi Vierta Moerdika, said that Jasa Marga was dismayed that the cyclists had put themselves and other road users in danger.
“Government Regulation No. 15/2005, Article 28 stipulates that toll roads are allowed for the sole use of motorists in four-wheeled vehicles,” Oemi said as quoted by kompas.com.
Read also: Urbanites turn to bike riding to beat cabin fever
She continued, saying that traffic signs were installed at entrance ramps to explicitly prohibit two-wheeled vehicles, like motorcycles and bicycles, from entering toll roads for safety reasons.
“Toll roads are dangerous for two-wheeled vehicles, because they are specifically designed for four-wheeled vehicles,” Oemi added, and that a police investigation was under way.
The cycling trend has swept up urbanites in Greater Jakarta, which has seen increasing numbers of people pedaling along its streets for exercise, especially on weekends. Cyclists have also been seeking alternative routes in recent months, as the restrictive COVID-19 policies discourage large public gatherings.
To facilitate cyclists’need, the Jakarta administration previously proposed building a bicycle lane along the shoulder of an inner city toll road stretching from Kebon Nanas in East Jakarta to Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. (rfa)
