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Jakarta’s Cyclists Hope for Smoother Ride by Opening Bike to Work Center
Nurfika Osman | May 24, 2010

Visitors inspecting some flashy new wheels at the Bike to Work center in South Jakarta on Sunday. B2W encourages the widespread use of bicycles as a healthy lifestyle that cuts emissions. (JG Photo/Afriadi Hikmal) Visitors inspecting some flashy new wheels at the Bike to Work center in South Jakarta on Sunday. B2W encourages the widespread use of bicycles as a healthy lifestyle that cuts emissions. (JG Photo/Afriadi Hikmal)
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Jakarta’s legions of bicyclists, frustrated by waves of traffic and crumbling roadways, are hoping for a smoother ride after opening a new home in South Jakarta on Sunday.

The Bike to Work center was officially opened by program manager Toto Sugito, head of the National Council on Climate Change Rachmat Witoelar and Deputy Minister of Environment Hendri Gustaman.

“With the facilities we have in the B2W house, the coordination of the 85 B2W communities and more than 18,000 B2W bikers in the country can be managed from right here,” Toto said.

The resource center, he said, would serve as a meeting point for the nation’s bicyclists; a maintenance workshop; a library for bicycle-related information from around the world; and a shop selling biking gear.

Looking to spread the word about the benefits of an environmentally friendly lifestyle, Jakarta’s B2W community also rolled out the www.b2w-indonesia.or.id Web site. The portal has links to forums and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

“We hope that the members of the Bike to Work community will communicate with one another and share their experiences so we can build two-way communication,” Toto said.

The community, established in 2004, has long campaigned for the establishment of bicycle lanes in the country’s vehicle-clogged cities.

“[We need] to reduce pollution and preserve our natural resources while encouraging healthy lifestyles,” Toto said.

Rachmat, who was there to offer an official endorsement from the government, threw his support behind the program’s ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“People shouldn’t turn away from bikes, they can make our lives healthier, they are economical, environmental friendly and people can still flash some style while riding,” Rachmat said. “This is also a great way to reduce our carbon emissions and protect the environment. It really should be a concern for all of us.”

The Jakarta Cycling Club, Alita Cycling and Indosat Cycling, all based in the capital, were also on hand at the opening, during which B2W announced corporate sponsorship deals with state flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia and Sodexo Pass Indonesia.

Bike to Work communities have grown rapidly worldwide at pace with increased public awareness about global warming and healthy living.

At present, Indonesia is the world’s third biggest greenhouse gas emitter. Although the majority of those emissions come from the wholesale logging of its forests.