Motorcycle Dominance in Indonesia: A Transportation Challenge

High population mobility has made the transportation system very important, transporting goods and people. Currently, the mode of transportation has grown rapidly. Based on the data from BPS-Statistics of Sumatera Utara Province until 2017, the number of vehicles in Sumatera Utara Province was 7,094,015 units. From these data, motorcycles dominated as much as 86.88 percent, passenger cars 7.57 percent, freight cars 4.50 percent, and buses 1.06 percent [2].

Motorcycles have become alternatives because it is easy for society to get a motorbike. Motorcycles can be obtained by credit, with a quite low-down payment and long-term installments. With that being said, people from middle to lower social classes can get this transportation mode. The utilization of motorcycles as the transportation mode in an uncontrolled way can cause chaos in the city, seriously threatening the safety and the security of the other road users (pedestrians).

Moreover, the use of motorcycles as a mode of transportation is known to have a higher risk of accidents compared to other modes of transportation. Therefore, it is important to regulate the use of motorcycles and promote the use of other modes of transportation such as public transportation, bicycles, and walking.

Public transportation such as buses and trains can accommodate a large number of passengers at once, reducing the number of vehicles on the road. This can lead to less traffic congestion and a reduction in air pollution. Bicycles and walking can also be used as alternatives for short-distance transportation and can promote a healthier lifestyle.

In conclusion, while motorcycles have become a popular mode of transportation in Indonesia, the uncontrolled use of them can lead to negative consequences such as traffic congestion, accidents, and air pollution. It is important to regulate the use of motorcycles and promote the use of other modes of transportation for a safer and more sustainable transportation system.