Seeing the Urgency of the Existence of Bicycle Paths on the Toll
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has sent a letter of application to the Ministry of PUPR. The letter explained that the DKI Provincial Government asked for permission to use one toll road section as a special bicycle lane every Sunday morning.
The lane which is the selected toll in the Inner City Toll area. Precisely the direction of Cawang to Tanjung Priok.
The letter was posted on 11 August 2020. As a consideration for the proposed proposal considering the number of cyclists in Jakarta continues to increase during the pandemic.
"In this regard, please the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to grant permission to use 1 part of the West Jakarta Inner Ring Toll road (Cawang-Tanjung Priok) as a road bike path to accommodate bicycle users every Sunday at 06.00-09.00. "said Anies in the letter.
In detail, the Head of DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, explained that currently the number of cyclists utilizing the Sudirman and Thamrin areas is very dense. So that the discourse emerged. Even then, he said, only for road bikes or racing bikes. Currently, his party is waiting for a decision from the PUPR Ministry.
"So, preparing one lane itself as a temporary bicycle path for road bikes. But this is still under discussion, yes, we are still waiting for the approval from the Minister," explained Syafrin.
The PUPR Ministry, through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPTJ), claims to have received a letter of request from the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan. But it cannot be decided immediately because it still needs to be discussed in depth, especially in terms of security and safety.
"We just evaluate it at Bina Marga and BPJT. The idea is like a car free day in Jakarta, or the Bali Marathon on the Bali Mandara toll road," said the Head of the PUPR Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), Danang Parikesit, to merdeka.com, Wednesday (26 / 8).
This plan reaps pros and cons. Some people consider it legitimate to accommodate residents who want to exercise bicycles. But not a few refuse because it is very dangerous for both cyclists and riders of four-wheeled vehicles or more.
Variety of Pros and Cons
Member of Commission V DPR RI, Irwan, said that the PUPR Ministry should properly review the DKI Provincial Government's proposal to use one inner-city toll road (Cawang-Tanjung Priok) for bicycle lanes on Sunday morning. He reminded the purpose and conditions of the toll road which are regulated in law.
"Really consider the purpose of the operation and the conditions for toll roads as regulated in the law," said Irwan via text message, Thursday (27/8).
Irwan said that toll roads have higher specifications and services than public roads. He did not see any urgency being used for the bicycle path even for a short time.
"I do not see any special or certain conditions that require the toll road to be specially functional for bicycles even though it is only intended for 3 hours in the morning every Sunday," he said.
Other DPR Commission V members also disagreed. Achmad Syaikhu from the PKS faction disagreed with the proposal because it endangered cyclists.
In addition, he continued, there is a concern that the use of toll roads for cyclists every Sunday will disturb toll road users. This is because the rights of toll road riders have been reduced due to the implementation of contraflow as a result of the temporary closure of one toll road lane.
"Obviously this will be detrimental to toll road users. Even though they have already paid," he said.
The view of Commission B DPRD DKI Jakarta is also different. Although he did not directly agree with it, the Head of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Abdul Aziz, asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to first ensure the safety of the Cawang-Tanjung Priok toll road if one segment is used for cyclists.
"Yes, because this is just an application, and the request is the governor's right and can be executed if permitted by the PUPR Minister. Before being executed, we will ensure its safety, if the security requirements are not met, we will provide recommendations to cancel it for the safety of the citizens," said Aziz. , Wednesday (26/8).
According to him, what was requested by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government was not wrong. Especially when considering the number of cyclists in Jakarta has increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The information he got from the Department of Transportation said that the track was only devoted to racing bicycles. According to him, if this is true, racing bikes should be safer on special lanes than on the same roads as other vehicles.
The Ditlantas Polda Metro Jaya also did not want to comment on the plan. Because there is no certainty whether it is just a suggestion or it is being seriously discussed.
Residents of Jakarta said
Although this plan is still being discussed, it needs seriousness if it is to be implemented. Given that the plan concerns the safety of residents. But agree bike lovers with the plan.
Achmad admitted that he could not yet imagine what the concept would be if it was implemented so that he could not yet give an attitude whether to agree or not with the proposal.
"I have not yet imagined what the implementation would be like, just a little bit horrified to know that the Toll Road vehicles are fast," he told merdeka.com.
Ayu chose to ride her bicycle on the regular track only. According to him, it is very dangerous, especially if not all toll users know the road conditions by heart.
"Oh, it's scary, the car is scary, how about passing a bus or a truck," said the woman in the hijab who had just been fond of bicycles for a while now.
The Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) has another analysis. ITDP Indonesia's Communication and Partnership Manager, Fani Rachmita, considered the discourse to be good considering that high-speed road bikes do require special lanes.
"Indeed, there is a need for a road bike track, a bicycle that is devoted to sports at a speed equivalent to motorized vehicles and groups. The intention to accommodate them is good," he said during a conversation with merdeka.com, Thursday (27/8).
It's just that, he said, it is very necessary to pay attention to safety factors for both cyclists and other vehicles.
"For example, safe infrastructure as well as strict regulations and supervision that only cyclists in question are allowed to pass here," he said.
The data currently owned by ITDP, continued Fani, is that the number of cyclists in Jakarta, especially on weekends, reaches 2,000 to 3,000 bicycles per hour. The number counts from 6 to 9 in the morning, which is the time when most residents cycle.
He is sure that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has had its own considerations so that it has chosen one toll road segment rather than a number of other regular Jakarta roads.
"In our opinion, maybe the consideration is due to the characteristics of the cyclists in question. Very high speed and group. When they are on the road in the city, it is not only a danger to other riders but also other cyclists whose speed is far below them. Even if there is a clear area. of motorized vehicles, their speed can be up to 60km / hour and this group can be unsafe for casual cyclists and pedestrians, "concluded Fani.
SOURCE: MERDEKA