With the cycling boom in Jakarta amid the pandemic drawing out cyclists with expensive new bikes, it was only a matter of time before they became the target of criminals. And with more frequent reports of cyclists getting mugged on the road, the city’s motorcycle taxi drivers, locally known as online ojek or ojol for short, can now be hired to provide some needed peace of mind.
There have been a spate of muggings in the capital in the past few weeks, the most widely reported of which saw celebrity Anjasmara having his phone snatched while riding in South Jakarta and a marine colonel breaking his arm in a fall from an attempted mugging in Central Jakarta.
With the culprits in both of these cases still on the loose and with other cyclists increasingly becoming targeted by muggers, authorities have urged Jakartans not to ride alone at this time.
And this is where ojols wheel in. The Association for the Two-Wheeled Action Movement (Garda), a major ojol union group, is now offering specially-trained drivers to escort cyclists on the road. The group’s security escort package starts at IDR750K (US$51.37) an hour for 10 people.
“If the number of cyclists exceeds 10 then it will count as two packages,” Garda chairman Igun Wicaksono said today.
One package entitles the cyclists to two security escorts, who would be riding on their motorcycles in the front and the back of the convoy.
“The drivers will be picked from a selection of former security guards or those who have security training,” Igun said.
If you can’t afford the escorts, then it would be wise to listen to authorities and ride with at least one other person, especially on dark and secluded roads (which you should probably avoid anyway). Where possible, refrain from placing your valuable belongings, especially your phone, in plain view such as on a phone holder on the handlebar.
Of course, don’t forget to wear a helmet and obey cycling laws.
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