Hi..i am from Indonesia, may be the only one from my country? Just want to learn here from you all.. Thank You very much Ahmad Dzikran
Hi there, no worries, there'll be all sorts of (nice) people here from everywhere. I've just hopped on DP after a long break.
I cycled from Bogor to Bandung back in '94. Crazy drivers, we'd been riding through Thailand and Malaysia with no problems but gave up on Indonesia and caught the train from Bandung
You were gave up because of the terrain or due to traffic jam or anything else ... Recently, travelling using bicycle has become a trend in my country. It is quite popular at this moment. A popular event such as 'explore Indonesia' and various local events were being held in many places. We, Indonesian always respect cyclists. It is because bicycle is our primary transportation in the past past but it is no longer being used anymore because we depend to much on machine. We know using bicycle will make use even healthier and reduce fuel consumption (and save the earth too) but we choose the 'instant way'. We want everything to be fast and no longer think about earth or even healthy life. This is why bicycle is no longer being used and we use machine for almost everything. I remember talking all day long about it with my professor. We didn't hate machine. We just don't like everyone depend too much on machine and forget 'our tradition'. The reason why we were respecting cyclist is simple. Even foreigner (we call it 'Turis', another word for tourist. We define a 'Turis' as someone who were living in modern world) were really happy using bycicle. So we should be proud of our tradition and start using bicycle as 'another method' of transportation. There is a site you may want to read. Travelling Indonesia. This is not my site nor I am affiliated with it in any way.
I am so sorry to hear that. It is quite common in the old days but it has changed now. I know there are still careless drivers out there but the number has been reduced greatly. Most roads has been rebuilt and I believe we already know how to drive safely.
lol, I regret not recording some of our drive from Surabaya last year. At one point the bonnet of our car was under the tailgate of a truck as we changed lanes. The driver drove on the wrong side of the road with oncoming emergency vehicles and played chicken before pulling over. The drivers in Bali were no better. Every country has it's own standard but the road toll in Indonesia must be horrific!
Wow, I am shocked looking at the number of incidents. I guess you were right. We have very low standard in driving safely. I hope education, road improvements and increased prosperity would change the way in driving. I really hope so. One simple fact which you may wish to know: Most driver will follow emergency vehicles because it will give them free route. About video recording, I always bring a camera with me while riding my bike. It is mounted near the rear-view. It is a small camera produced by Australian Vendor (or distributor, I don't know), a Kogan HD1080P. I use it as evidence if someone ever drive carelessly and endanger or crash me. Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Kogan in anyway. I write it here because I like the product and it has helped me in many situations. Edit: I live in East Java and Surabaya is not far away from my town.