VIVAnews - Suparman, the head of Kramatpela administrative village, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, never thought that his bike riding habit would change the policy of the South Jakarta government.
Thanks to his hobby as well as the increasing awareness over the global warming issue, the mayor of South Jakarta has recently issued a pro-environment policy.
Syahrul Effendi, the mayor, ordered his sub-district and administrative village officials to ride two-wheel vehicles, i.e. bicycle, for their transportation. This policy is quite sensational since nearly all sub-district and administrative village officials in Jakarta, especially those living in South Jakarta, are car owners.
Suparman’s love for old bicycle (onthel) led him to set up an organization called Komunitas Klub Ontel Kramatpela or the “Kramatpela Old Bicycle Club” to accommodate fellow bikers. The club, founded in 2008, currently has 75 members.
Since then, Suparman has been using bicycle for his transportation. He works hard to raise awareness over the global warming issue among people.
He rides around his traffic-crowded neighborhood, as well as to other places, on his bike.
He even rides his old bike to the mayor’s office for morning exercise. “I ride my old bike to the mayor’s office,” he told VIVAnews.
The mayor, unexpectedly, was quite excited about his unique habit and asked a dozen questions about his bicycle. Suparman explained to the mayor how bike riding would help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. He even suggested the mayor to ride the bike himself.
“The mayor took my advice and not long after he issued the said policy,” he said.
The fact that his idea has inspired the government to issue such breakthrough policy did not make him a snob. “I won’t be proud unless the policy is well-implemented,” Suparman said.
This means that the policy would change people’s behavior as well. “Not just the district and sub-district officials, but also all the inhabitants of South Jakarta,” said the man who has been working as head of Kramatpela administrative village for five years.
Kramatpela administrative village is currently equipped by eight onthel bicycles for its transportation. “These old bikes have charisma and high historical values,” he added.
To support the new policy, Suparman hopes that in the future the government will prepare a special lane for bicyclists. The policy will yield better results if the government constructs a special bicycle lane. “I hope that the related government institution will be able to build a special bicycle lane,” Suparman said.
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Translated by: Edwin Solahuddin
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