Motorcycle riders...again...

Yesterday on Wednesday 17 November 2010 I was about to meet with my friends at the mall. From the area around my home I could find public transportation easily. But once I got to the main road...it was as if no sign of living thing on the street. I doubt the busway would get to the nearest bus stop earlier. Finally when I saw an empty cab, immediately I stop the cab and sat on the front.

That taxi in a glance is similar with EXPRESS (one of many taxi's companies here in Jakarta). I sort of hesitated. But when I got in I did not feel anything unsettling. So, I trust my instinct that there is nothing going to happen and get ot with it. Can't help with the temptation of having cheaper taxi's fare.

 The street was almost like deserted. In Jakarta, empty street could only happen if on the previous day there was a massive riot, flood, heavy traffic jam and certainly on national public holiday like yesterday where almost Jakarta people seems agree to relocated the traffic jam to highland, Bogor and Bandung. Kidding...

So, here are my conversation with the taxi driver :

Me : Empty street like this is so exciting

Driver : Well, not really... It was like everything is not comfortable... During weekdays the street was so packed with vehicles I am barely able to move around. During holiday, the street is empty but I am finding hard to get passenger

Me : So, you prefer empty street but with loads of passengers, right?

Driver : (laugh) that's what I want... Actually, heavy traffic jam in Jakarta merely caused by motorcycles

Me (silently) : And I just posted how I hate motorcycles riders... Fit perfectly...

Me : So all because motorcycle drivers? Well, I heard hundred thousand of motorcycles being released to the public on and on... And not to mention the easy procedur to buy motorcycle these days

Driver : True. Long ago, I worked as a driver in Saudi Arabia and never experience traffic jam though there were many cars on the street. No motorcycles though...

Me : No bus as well?

Driver : Oh, there are buses... Mostly the users are foreign workers

Me : Have you ever had any problem with motorcycle riders?

Driver : Goodness... No... Hopefully not ever... They always tries to outrun everybody... Then they bumped our car...and fell... Then went mad like crazy

Me : And suddenly all motorcycle drivers come from everywhere beating you up

Driver : True. I say, people with heart condition should not be driving in Jakarta at all

Me : So there is no comfort living in Jakarta, sir?

Driver : Yeah, sort of like that...

*LOL... Then where we should be living then?*

I just hate motorcycles

Today I am not going to talk about public transportation but want to share something from the bottom of my heart... LOL! It is just a beginning of the week but already I want to share something from my heart...

The thing that I am afraid the most, upsetting the most and hate the most currently are rogue motorcycle drivers.



Oh dear... They are truly the KING OF THE ROAD at this moment and their behavior really inviting... Inviting anger and swearing... Naturally, not all motorcycle drivers are rascals on the street. But they are the reason that made me NOT want to learn how to drive. I would rather chasing the bus. Or if have spare money I take the taxi... The one with cheaper fare, of course.

Anyway, back to the motor cycle riders... I have complete stories of our anger towards them. From my own experiences up to stories from friends and family.

Years ago, when my Dad still able to drive by himself we were having problem with the motorcycle driver who came up from nowhere and I was suspicious that he deliberately thrown himself in front of our car. It was red light at that time and when my dad just about to start the car suddenly this motorcycle came up out of nowhere and just fallen. As we expected, the driver then screaming asked my dad to get off from the car. There was a party nearby and the security guard sort of became mediator between us. When the driver still yelling and screaming, the security guard snapped at him and ask him to get to the point. How much did he want? We gave him 50,000 Rupiahs as per his request to settle the matter as quick as possible.

My friend has another story. She has giving sign that she was about to go left then this motorcycle driver come trying to move pass her car. And his motorcycle hit her car so eventually he was falling down. My friend read the situation quickly. If she just stay there she would have to face dozens of angry motorcycle drivers try to defending their comrade. So, she opened her car's window and told the guy to follow her to the other side of the road. The road was the opposite ways from other dozens of motorcycle drivers so she only has to deal with the driver alone. Without anyone to hassle her, she managed to squeeze the motorcycle driver by pint pointed his mistakes. First, she has giving sign but he obviously pretend not to see it. Second, he just keep on moving forward and finally hit her car's door. And in the end, without has to spend even a dime, she left that unlucky motorcycle driver alone. Dealing with his broken motorcycle. While my friend has to spend money to fix her door but that was better rather than giving money to the driver.

By taking the bus does not mean we have no problem with motorcycle drivers. They have known that big bus always speeding. And yet they still have the audacity to try move pass the bus. Once I saw one of them suddenly make a left turn while this motorcycle was originally on the right side of the bus. The crazy thing was the motorcycle driver and his buddy laughing out loud because they have successfully outrun the bus. While the bus driver, his assistant and all the passengers swearing that hopefully that driver will get his lesson someday... Just as long as not with them but with someone else!

The closing story from my cousin who almost have a heart attack on the spot thank you to the motorcycle driver. As usual, there was a motorcycle driver who want to try out run their car. It seems the driver was unable to control the balance of his motorcycle he suddenly fall along with his buddy. The motorcycle went under the car while her husband still trying to hit the brake. They both suddenly fall silent scare to imagine what has been happening. Then suddenly the driver staggering try to stand up along with his buddy. While people helping the driver, they scolded the driver for not being able to control the vehicle. Luckily for all of them, the car still able to stop right on time. All the people witnessing that the driver fell due to his own mistake and not because being hit by the car. Then my cousin and her hubby just move along continue their journey leaving the bruises driver and his buddy.

So, to all of you motorcycle drivers...if you are still unable or not capable to handle your motorcycle then perhaps you should just walk or ride another vehicle. Don't give other people trouble by falling in front of the running car... Or acting as if you are a brilliant racer by speeding and try to out run other vehicles.

I am beginning to think...how many motorcycles being sold to the people within days? Why there are so many of them and really such a nuisance! Come to think of it, to use ojek with reckless driver are also frightening prospect :(