President calls on local administrations to provide space for cyclists

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the regional administrations to provide adequate spaces for cyclists including those who use bicycles to work.

The head of state made the call at the National Monument here Sunday morning when seeing off cyclists who are engaged in an environmental campaign along a trip from Jakarta to Bali bearing the theme `Bicycle for Earth Goes to Bali`.

"The mayors and district heads across Indonesia should provide spaces for cyclists including those to work," the president said.

According to him, not only does cycling save the world due to less air pollution but also human beings as they inhale fresher air.

"The other advantage of cycling is to reduce our daily expenses as bicycles need no fuel oil which is costly," he said, adding that cycling could make people healthier and far from diseases.

Thus, the head of state encouraged the public to popularize cycling activities in Indonesia.

On the occasion, State Minister for the Environment Rahmat Witoelar said Bicycle for Earth Goes to Bali would take place from November 11 to December 1, 2007, as part of the UN Conference on Climate Change to be held from December 3 to 14, 2007 in Bali.

The cycling event is being participated in by 50 cyclists consisting 15 participants of the main team who will be running the Jakarta-Bali route and 35 members of the cycling community from cities where they will pass through.

The route will pass through the cities of Jakarta, Karawang, Pamanukan, Cirebon, Tegal-Pekalongan, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo, Madiun, kertosono, Surabaya, Probolinggo, Situbondo, Banyuwangi, Tabanan, Denpasar, Nusadua.

"The cyclists will take the distance of 1447 kilometers passing through 44 cities with stopovers in 16 cities," the minister said.

The 15 cyclists in the main team have passed a selection test as they were able to take a nonstop trip from Jakarta to Bandung (West Java).

"The event is intended to campaign and popularize the use of bicycles in support of the people`s daily activities," he said.

Rahmat said along the route, the campaign team were scheduled to make socialization on impacts of the climate change and alternative solutions to the issue through mass media as well as discussions with regional leaders and people among other things.