Kids Riding Motorcycles Are (Not) Normal ! Salute to Purwakarta City!

Views of a kid riding a motorcycle, not a bicycle is not uncommon on Indonesia streets. They can be found almost everywhere and every city.

Although, the laws say that the minimum age for obtaining a riding or driving license is 17 years, many parents have allow their kids to ride a motorbike much earlier. In some cases, a kid at a level of 3rd grade can be found on the seat of motorbike.

It doesn't mean the authority doesn't do anything to stop this breaking rule action but the numbers are too many, and daily.

They can be found crawling or speeding on busy streets. Many times without helmet. it is quite often to see overloaded motorbike with 3-4 passengers.

In small numbers minors can also be found on the driving seat of a car.

Even though, there were already many fatal accidents resulting on the loss of life but it seems the phenomenom will never stop.

Most of the pupils learn from their own parents. Yes, they do.Many Indonesian parents teach their own kid to start learning of riding or driving at very early stage. Sometimes as early as 7-8 years old, the 2nd or 3rd grader.

That is why, the numbers of minor riders grow rapidly in Indonesia as it seems the society supporting such bad behaviour. They are considered normal and common.

Crazy, isn't it?

Luckily, eventually, one leader, a Regent of Purwakarta City gives a stunning example to Indonesian people that allowing their kids to ride before 17 is wrong.

He announce a regulation that whoever, under age minor,  is found to ride a motorcycle or drive a car to school, they will get fired from school. Furthermore, even if they have celebrated their sweet seventeen, they are not yet allowed to bring their vehicle to school.

Recently, the regulation took victims. Two teenagers, under 17th, that were found to ride and drive, were fired from their school. The punishment was given after several times warning letters are ignored.

Very strict.

I feel grateful for what the Regent did. It sent a message not only to his city but also to others that such demeanor can not be accepted and must be punished.

I had quite a problem with my own son few months before. He saw his friends riding motorbikes to school and everywhere and later on requested to me for permission to do the same.

His request was immediately rejected.

I didn't want him to learn to break a law. Besides, his mentality is not stable enough to ride. I have seen too much on the streets how poor the attitude of kid riders and already too many life lost because of the carelessness.

Thank to Purwakarta City!

I don't think it will give too much effects to daily life in many other cities but at least, I know there are still sane people who will keep fighting the wrong behaviour.