There has been no news for a long time about the green bicycles at UGM. Apparently, the green bikes are still in demand, especially among students. On average each day one or two students make use of the bikes as a means of transportation on campus.
Wahyuntoro, green bicycle unit manager of the Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies UGM, said currently there are 128 green bikes being allocated to 32 UGM units, including the Rectorate office, security unit, centers of studies, student dormitories, and the faculties. Of the 128 bikes, 100 are new ones, provided on grants from PT Wismilak Inti Makmur. Several bicycles are in poor condition and need repairs. "The students still have interest in using the bicycles on campus," said Wahyu at the Center on Tuesday (29/6).
It is not difficult to borrow the bike. Simply by submitting a student card, students can ride the bike on campus. If one is going to use it for certain activities outside the campus, they just need a special permit. "It is free if used within the campus compound. Special permission is needed if you want to use it for a specific event outside," he explained.
So far, there have been few problems in dealing with the bikes. The only problem is the number and condition of the bikes that are broken, while in some units there are cases of 'missing' bikes. "Not only broken bikes, but also there are bikes gone missing," he said.
According to Wahyu, based on the rules, it should be the sole responsibility of the borrower to replace the missing bike. The bikes that have been present at UGM since June 3, 2005, at first had the role to raise awareness to live healthily and to love the environment. The students welcomed the green bicycles as confirmed by Nur Kholidah Ulfiani, student of Communication Department class of 2007. This student from Tegal supports the provision of bikes, including the arrangement of in-and-out flow of the vehicles at UGM by the use of Vehicle Identification Card. Nur said that it is better and not difficult to get around the UGM campus on bike. Nur said that she prefers bicycle or walking to motorcycle. "Every day I go to campus by bicycle, because it is simple. You need to go circling around the campus if riding a motorcycle," she said. "A bike is more comfortable and it feels fresh to ride it in the morning at UGM," she continued.
Likewise, Suwartala, Administration and Household Affairs staff, stated that the green bike so far has eased his work. In addition to an environmentally friendly transportation, riding a bicycle makes it easier for him to go to the work location. Suwartala hoped that in the future the green bikes can be better managed, including the provision of more bicycles. "For example, I could go to the Student Co-op easier, quicker and more comfortably. Besides, I think it’s also environmentally friendly because bikes do not produce pollution," he said.
Considering the many positive things of bikes, it is a shame if the management is not optimal. The cases that seem trivial, broken or stolen bikes, deserve an attention, not to mention the budget problems. In addition, to make the green bike movement at the UGM campus more popular, certain events encouraging the movement should be held, including bicycle mechanic training and institutional development through Yogyakarta campus green bicycle network. Moreover, currently the love for cycling in the city of Yogyakarta was raised again with the declaration of Jogja Bike on September 1st 2006. The Green Bike Movement is also one form of UGM's tangible support for the Blue Sky program launched by the Provincial Government towards an eco-friendly province.