Mudik Travelers by Motorcycle: Between Need and Safety

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO (KUM)

Motorcycle travelers are speeding along the Indramayu-Cirebon north coast route in Susukan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Thursday (21/5/2020).

Tens of millions of people are estimated to go on mudik (exodus) by motorbike during this year's Idul Fitri (Lebaran). Even though it is not recommended because it is risky from a safety aspect, motorbikes are still the choice of many people for going on mudik for a number of reasons.

In the narrow entranceway of a rented house, a black and white Honda Astrea Grand motorcycle stood with two standards. A pair of tires and two pairs of motorcycle shock absorbers looked brand new. The owner, Muhammad Taufik Hidayah, 33, was seen pressing the handbrake and footbrake of his motorcycle. He also checked the motorcycle chain, which seemed to be loose.

The check was carried out because Taufik would use the motorcycle, which was produced in 1993, to go home to Pekalongan, Central Java, three days before Idul Fitri.

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“Three months before Idul Fitri, we started to prepare. Two months ago I changed the tires and shock absorbers. The condition of the battery, chain and others are also checked. A week before going home, all I have to do is to conduct the usual service and change the oil," said Taufik, Tuesday (19/4/2022) afternoon, at his rented house in Sukabumi Utara subdistrict, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

Mudik travelers with motorbikes are the second-largest travelers going on mudik after travelers with private cars, which is predicted to reach 22.9 million people.

Taufik is one of the millions of residents who plan to go home this year on a motorbike. Based on a survey by the Transportation Ministry, it is estimated that 16.9 million people will go home by motorbike. Mudik travelers with motorbikes are the second-largest travelers going on mudik after travelers with private cars, which is predicted to reach 22.9 million people.

For Taufik, going home by motorbike is nothing new. Since 2013, almost every Lebaran he returns to his village by motorbike. Only in 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, did he not go home.

He said that he chose to go home by motorbike because it was more flexible with his holiday schedule. He always has a holiday schedule that is tight with Lebaran, while at that time, public transportation tickets are hard to come by and expensive.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Motorcycle travelers rest on Jalan Kalimalang, Bekasi, West Java. Homecomers include unique messages to their heart's content affixed to their luggage.

For example, the Jakarta-Pekalongan travel fare three days before Lebaran rises to Rp 350,000 from the usual Rp 200,000. The bus fare with the same route on D-3 rises to Rp 350,000 (US$24.19) from the usual Rp 150,000. With regard to the motorbikes, Taufik admitted that he only needs Rp 100,000 to buy gasoline. It can also be shared with a friend who rides.

The distance from Jakarta to Taufik's kampung in Sidomukti village, Karanganyar district, Pekalongan, is about 386 kilometers. It usually takes him eight to 12 hours, depending on the number of vehicles in the group and the level of road congestion.

Ilham Khalik, 48, an ice-cane seller in Pekanbaru, Riau, also usually goes on mudik by motorbike. Every year he travels about 230 km for five to six hours on a Yamaha Jupiter Z, which was produced in 2005, from Pekanbaru to Nagari Ampang Gadang, Ampek Angkek district, Agam regency, West Sumatra, about 5 km from Bukittinggi city.

Another consideration is cost-effective. Pekanbaru- Bukittinggi official travel rate before Lebaran usually goes up from Rp 120,000 to Rp 180,000.

Ilham goes home by motorbike because he needs a vehicle when he is in his hometown. If there is no motorbike, he and his family will find it difficult to travel while celebrating Lebaran in his hometown. Another consideration is cost-effective. Pekanbaru- Bukittinggi official travel rate before Lebaran usually goes up from Rp 120,000 to Rp 180,000.

"By riding a motorbike, the traveler needs only Rp 40,000 for gasoline. We can also enjoy the trip,” said Ilham, who has been going home regularly by motorbike since 2005.

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Before going home, Ilham always services the engine and checks the condition of the tires, oil, brakes, chains and other components on his motorcycle. As for the physical, he has no special preparations. The important thing before riding a motorbike is that the body must be healthy and get enough sleep.

Not recommended

Despite being the choice of tens of millions of people, going home by motorbike is actually not recommended. A spokesperson for the Transportation Ministry, Adita Irawati, explained that the Transportation Ministry does not recommend going home by motorbike because it poses a big risk to safety.

Kompas

Lebaran homecoming began in the early 2000s using motorbikes. Top left 2003, top right 2016.

"Moreover, generally people go home with more cargo, such as those on a ride and carry-on luggage. Not to mention the weather factor that is increasingly threatening the safety of motorists," said Adita.

Adita said, to reduce the number of motorbike travelers, the Transportation Ministry has held a free homecoming program using buses, ships and trains. Participants going home for free can go home by public transportation, while their motorbikes are also transported.

Driving safety practitioner and founder of Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting, Jusri Pulubuhu, said that going home by motorbike is not recommended for two reasons.

Therefore, during an accident, motorcyclists are prone to serious injuries and even death.

First, motorcycles are not like cars that have bumpers, doors, body and an engine in front that can absorb impact during an accident. Therefore, during an accident, motorcyclists are prone to serious injuries and even death.

Second, motorcycles tend to be unstable so the riders must be able to balance them at all times, in addition to having to operate other components, such as brakes and transmission. Thus, the difficulty level of operating a motorcycle is higher than that of a car.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Workers prepare motorbikes for residents who take part in free motorbike homecoming at the Jakarta Gudang Station, Jakarta, Sunday (26/5/2019). Free motorbike homecoming is one of the government's efforts to reduce the use of motorbikes when going home.

"Moreover, going home is during the fasting month, when people experience less rest and the food supply is not normal. Plus the traffic situation is heavy, so going home by motorbike is not recommended," said Jusri.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)