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Because of Jakarta’s endless traffic and thick pollution, activities that take you out into the great outdoors aren’t very common.

Despite this, a group of people are still trying to enjoy the city their own way — by riding their bicycles.

And they are not doing this on just any bicycle. Members of Komunitas Ontel Batavia (Batavia Bicycle Community) prefer riding antique bikes. The group derives its name, ontel , from the Javanese word for bicycle.

“It feels so peaceful to be on my bicycle and just ride slowly,” said 28-year-old Fahmi Saimima, who works at a bank in Jakarta.

Established on Aug. 17, 2005, the group now has about 700 members.

Fahmi, who is the group’s public relations officer, said he first fell in love with old bicycles in 1996 when he inherited one that used to belong to his grandfather.

To his surprise, the bicycle was still in good condition. When he rode it, he felt a connection with the bike.

“I would say that it was love at first sight,” Fahmi said, adding that being on a bike is a unique experience.

Fahmi, who lives in Kalibata, South Jakarta, said he takes the main roads when he rides. He enjoys being on his bike so much that the traffic and pollution don’t bother him.

As his appreciation of old bicycles grew, he decided to give his grandfather’s bicycle to his brother and bought three others.

One is a 1942 English Burgers brand bicycle. Another is an English bicycle made by Phillips in 1950. The third one is a Dutch Teha bicycle from 1930.

Altogether, the three bicycles cost him Rp 10 million ($1,100).

According to Fahmi, bicycles that are considered “old” by the group’s standards are the ones that were made before 1960. Most of these are European bicycles, with a few that were made in China.

Fahmi said, however, that he prefers the European models.

“It’s the prestige,” he said.

Heru Pramono, 34, who works in TV, joined Komunitas Ontel Batavia in 2006, just after purchasing his first antique bicycle.

He found the group’s blog online and joined in order to spend time and swap stories with people who shared the same hobby.

He now has four bicycles, which in total cost him about Rp 4 million. His latest addition is a French model.

Heru said most Jakartans were unfamiliar with the idea of people riding bikes as a hobby.

He said people often gave him strange looks when they saw him cycling, partly because bicycles — especially the ones he rides — are seen as old-fashioned. But Heru said that the stares don’t bother him and can’t detract from the enjoyment he derives from his recreation.

Unlike today’s well-equipped modern bicycles, old bicycles can generally only reach a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

But to Heru, that’s what makes it so enjoyable. “For me it’s the perfect relaxation,” he said.

Searching for antique bicycles takes members of Komunitas Ontel Batavia all around Java.

Heru said that many of his friends regularly go to cities like Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang and Surabaya in search of bicycles.

“Old bicycles are usually sold at traditional markets [in those places] at low prices,” Heru said.

Members of the community have lots of stories about their quests to find old bicycles, too.

Heru said one of his friends saved up to buy a particular Dutch bicycle from the 1920s. Unable to find the model he was looking for, he instead spent the money on his wedding.

To his surprise, his father in-law gave him the exact bicycle that he had been searching for as a wedding gift.

Members of Komunitas Ontel gather every Sunday at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, on Jalan Thamrin, at 7 a.m.

After riding their bicycles from home, they sit together and talk.

Sometimes, they go to museums together and occasionally arrange group rides in the city.

“We also exchange tips and tricks related to maintaining our bicycles,” Fahmi said.

“Everyone can join the community for free as long as they share the same passion for old bicycles.”

Komunitas Ontel Batavia

Jalan Cipinang Timur Raya No. 48 Rawamangun, East Jakarta, 13240
021 4788 2340
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herupram@gmail.com