11 Comments on “Ojek Ride”

1. Achmad Sudarsono Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 am

   IamIsaid,

   Many thanks for this story. My ojek drivers always laugh when I tell them about the dangers, doubly laughing when I said they should invest in flourescent vests if they want to ber-Ojek at night.

   Ojeks in many ways epitomizes choices in Indonesia. Ojeks are an amazing service, incredibly convenient, like the hawker that brings Bubur Ayam to your door. But they’re incredibly dangerous and risky. Like the bowl washed in the Got at the warung.

   Here’s what I do, albeit only suitable for short rides:

   * Try to always take back streets where traffic isn’t going much more than 20 kms an hour. and never go that much faster than a bicycle. Jalan Tikus are great.

   * Try to maintain a “safety zone” around you, a big 12-foot oval.

   * Ditch the helmets — they’re plastic, crap, and only purpose is to keep the money-grubbing cops away.

   * Stay away from the two-stroke exhaust pipes, or indeed any exhaust pipes. Ojeks seem to love stopping just behind the Bajaj, so you can maximise inhalation of carbon monoxide, lead, and other crap

   * Finally and most important, be assertive, be rude if you have to, but don’t worry about being bossy with the Ojek rider. Your life is at stake.

   All my regular ojek guys say I am a pussy, wimp, stupid, and “kecelakaan hanya kalau nasibnya gitu,” for taking my routes.

2. Aluang Anak Bayang Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 10:43 am

   haha .. it should be aptly titled “Bule adventure in the Wild Wild East”. Can’t wait for part III.

3. iamisaid Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 11:22 am

   Thanks for your tips and comments Achmad.

   After that incident, it took me a few months to regain my confidence riding on an ojek.

4. iamisaid Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 11:25 am

   Hi Aluang Anak Bayang,

   I know you would not be able to tell but I am not a Bule.

   Although I am of mixed parentage, I take after my mother who is Asian. Hence, I could even pass off as an Indonesian.

5. Achmad Sudarsono Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 1:12 pm

   Pak IamIsaid,

   Was just sharing what I do, not offering advice & tips. Everyone has to find their own path. Mine is, yes, the Ukuele…etc.

6. dewaratugedeanom Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 4:51 pm

   Achmad said

   Stay away from the two-stroke exhaust pipes, or indeed any exhaust pipes.

   Here they call it the ‘Bali Kiss’. It usually leaves a nice souvenir.

7. Aluang Anak Bayang Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 8:46 pm

   iamisaid, I assume you are a bule or foreigner because you don’t seem familiar with our surroundings, and thus accident prone. Stunt like getting bumped on your head and jumping out of moving bike are just alien to us. lol

8. iamisaid Says:
   December 11th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

   Welcome back, Aluang Anak Bayang,

   Yes, a foreigner that I am.

   There is still a lot to learn even though I have been visiting various parts of Indonesia for the past 7 years. At least a visit once a month, sometimes more than that in a month.

   Accident prone? Hope it is not the case. But hell! it is sure makes the learning that much harder. LOL !

9. Marisa Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 8:39 pm

   Heheheh… @ Aluang Anak Bayang
   Check this article out:
   http://www.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20071031-33370.html
   And this video: http://www.youtube.com/v/KB_GoQ-h9Zg&rel=1

   It isn’t about Indonesian ojek rides, but the thought just crossed my mind when I read Aluang Anak Bayang’s comment.

   @ iamisaid

   Feel sorry for your misfortunate ojek trip. But, you know, if you happened to live in Jakarta, ojeks can be useful ..they really have skills driving through tight gaps between those jammed cars. Daredevil act you might say, but we Jakartans need punctuality THAT bad.

   Get well soon!

10. iamisaid Says:
    December 12th, 2007 at 10:43 pm

    Hi Marisa,

    Thanks for your good wishes. I am totally healed and back on my feet now like nothing happened to it.

    I do not live in Jakarta. I have been there several times and travelled by taxi. The volume and nature of the traffic jams are in itself discouraging to even think of riding on an ojek. Perhaps if I am much younger and more stupid I would ride on an ojek in Jakarta. LOL !

11. Dragonwall Says:
    December 13th, 2007 at 4:32 am

    Most ojek operator are usually those crooks.. They are good for nothing sideliners of those that were always ready for hire in time of propaganda and demonstrasi. They first eveole trying to break the rice bowl of becak (I find becak much better than ojek as they were actually traditional in almost every Asian countries from north to south of the Pacific Rim. The first thing they did when fuel price gone up, per ride cost between 5,000 to 15,000. The danger they pose to public transport and personal safety were grossly neglected. During the time of reform, they simply park their bike at home and off they go to an easy day’s pay with all expenses paid for. They menace in front of departmental stores. They gang up, team up fight one another. They evict any outside threat (not fair competition) Only those that are their cliques are entitled to dominated those areas. At thimes they also gang up with outsiders to rob those who use their service. Indonesian government should rid them of the service being public road menace. Money first personal safety last.. That’s it.

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