Every Sunday morning I go car-free Sunday at Sudirman for my weekly distance. It is the only time of the week when I can leave the treadmill behind and run outside in a friendly environment for pedestrians. I liked seeing the city from this point of view, but at the end of Ramadan, the car-free Sunday was not without a car and ME was run over by a motorcycle.
For those of you who stayed around this summer and ran, walked, cycled or hung with children on Sudirman during Car Free Sunday, you know how happy he was. There was hardly anyone there, no parade, no music, no cross without looking, a few of us and the street. On Sunday, August 16 e , I parked near Grand Lucky as I usually do and ready for a 22km race. To my surprise, the car-free Sunday was not that day without a car. I stayed there for a few minutes watching the scene; there were no signs everywhere saying Car-free Sunday was canceled and there were hundreds of people walking, running and cycling with some cars in between.
Despite the fact that thousands of people had taken to the streets, cars and motorcycles passing at full speed on Jl already dangerous. Sudirman. The police drove by motorcycle trying to show people out and make room for cars. I hesitated a moment, but then decided that there were so many people in the street, they would have no choice but to close off the street. Oh, how wrong was I?
I ran all the way to the infamous Pizza-man and then at the roundabout H.I.. The sun was out, it was very hot fast, making it difficult to put one foot before the other. Then, it happened. A second, I was set up, the next thing behind me on the tarmac and ran over my leg. I did not know what had happened to me. I looked behind and not see anything, then tried to get up and get out of the street. People shouted while others watched.
Finally, a group of runners came to my aid. Everything was blurry but I notice the driver of the motorcycle was stopped by some people and everybody was crying. I imagined them saying, "A bule down! A bule down! "One guy tried to give me a massage on what I thought was a broken leg. I remember looking at my Garmin watch to make sure it is intact. I quietly pause, probably thinking that I would like to finish my race after shaking and then I politely but firmly told to massage man not to touch my leg and said the motorcycle driver who has not stopped crying since he hit me, and that was probably blind not to see me with my top and my pink outrageously flashy orange and yellow shoes, to stop being hysterical and start with an apology, which he did.
I did not have my phone with me, so I could not communicate with my husband who was waiting for me at FX Mall with my daughter. I ran about nine of 22 km I had planned to run, and thought for a second to complete. I stood and contemplated the idea for a while when someone passed by shouting. "Hey! You're bleeding! "I looked down and I made myself bleeding everywhere and was looking miserable. I decided to return.
I started walking. I walked for about 500m and thought it would take me over an hour to return to this rate, I started running slowly and eventually increase the pace. I guess you could say I decided to continue to run after being hit by a motorcycle. It reminded me of the story of a guy who was hit by lightning, kept running and winning a marathon or something like that.
I tell the story in a funny way, now that I've been told by specialists that my leg will be fine, but for a few weeks after this meeting, I was convinced I would not miss never again. OK, I was a bit dramatic, but good!
I contacted the organization of the Car Free Day to understand a little more about who is behind this organization and why the street is sometimes closed and sometimes not, and especially where to get the information from before heading there. They were very frank: resources are limited for this event, although the safety of thousands of people is on the line. Here's what they had to say.
issues of the day without a car and Answers with Muhamad Irawan, head of public relations, Info Car Free Day.
This is car Sunday and when did it begin?
without cars in Jakarta Day takes place every Sunday morning 6:00 to 11:00. Meanwhile, motor vehicles (excluding buses) are prevented from entering the busiest street of the capital, Jalan Sudirman, Monas in Senayan. It is the only time when the citizens of Jakarta can get some kind of air and practice expenses sports or just being outdoors. It attracts about 10,000 people every week. -Free Car Day began in 2007 where he held three times a year. Then in 2008 it was held once a month. Between 2009 and 2011, it became three times a month. It was every Sunday since 2012, well, almost.
What organization is behind Car Free Day?
Jakarta Transportation Agency (DKI Jakarta).
What are the biggest challenges of holding a day without a car in Jakarta?
Stop the incoming traffic, the management of street vendors, bicycle lanes management, runners and walkers.
Who determines if the car without Sunday is or not, and where can we get the information?
Canadian Transportation Jakarta holds a meeting every Tuesday and invents organizations from different participants. This is where it is decided whether there will be a car-free day or not. Because we lack resources, the only way to know is to visit our website or account a few days before.
Anything else we should know about Car-Free Day?
addition for the main event, there are also car-free days in different parts of the city. These events are not well advertised and sometimes punctual, but as an example, Jl. Cipete Raya is closed to cars on most Sunday mornings.
Website: http://www.infocarfreeday.net/
: @CFDinfo