Designing an Informative Guidebook for Jakarta Cyclists

Cycling has been one of my favorite sports since I was at a young age. The sensation of riding a two-wheeler while still involving the kinetic energy from your body is something that other sports do not offer. In some cases, I cycle for recreational purposes, to commute between places around Jakarta, and in other cities during my leisure time. However, when cycling around Jakarta, there are many obstacles which makes cycling less convenient and dangerous such as the chaotic traffic, narrow and broken roads, thieves, absence of bicycle lanes and facilities, etc. Due to this, many Jakartans are hesitant to cycle on a daily basis or without the companion of others even if they own high-end bicycles with a good quality.

In my personal experience, my parents did not allow me to cycle by myself outside of home without a companion. This happened from since I was able to ride a bicycle until middle school. Due to this, I was only able to cycle during Car Free Day on Sunday, because that is the only time where my other family members and friends can join me. The reason why they made this “rule” is because they thought that Jakarta is not safe for people around my age to go outside alone. There are chances that I might get lost, robbed, get caught into an accident, etc.

Recently, my parents allowed me to walk around and cycle by myself with a certain distance limit from my house because they believe that I am grown enough to take care of myself and I need to start exercising routinely. As I cycle in different routes and explore areas in South Jakarta, I found several places which are inclusively convenient and safe for cyclists. These places which I am referring to have bicycle facilities, security surveillance, decent road quality, and strict traffic enforcement. However, I noticed that not everyone around my age have the privilege of being allowed to go out alone as a cyclist or too hesitant to do so because of the exaggeration about safety issues on the road. My goal is to research on ways to improve the ease of bicycle travel in urban areas, then design a simple and informative guidebook for cyclists in Jakarta as a way to promote a more environmentally sustainable way of commuting. My goal will incorporate my experiences in cycling, writing, and designing.

I aim to attract more people to cycle not only for sport purposes but for daily activities as well. Cycling is an environmentally friendly form of transportation, as it does not release carbon emission and is not being powered by fossil fuel. Although many including me are aware about the challenges of cycling in Jakarta, not many are aware regarding the ways that we as an individual can do to make cycling around the city more convenient. My guidebook will contain information on how to stay safe on the road and the routes where cyclists and ride conveniently and safely.

Global Context

The global context that is most related to my project is Globalization and Sustainability, because my project promotes a more environmentally sustainable way of commuting which is by cycling. This option is being introduced to Jakartans who mostly still prefer gas-powered motorized vehicle compared to bicycles, scooters, etc. Cycling is not only about maintaining the health of your body, it is also about making wise decisions for a bigger cause.

Product

The final product is in the form of a pocket guidebook for cyclists and urban commuters in Jakarta. It generally contains information about places to cycle in Jakarta and several road guidelines. My product corresponds to the global context of Globalization and Sustainability, because the main goal of this product itself is to promote cycling as a form of sustainable transportation in Jakarta. The personal and environmental benefits of cycling are shown in a section of the guidebook. The “globalization” aspect of it is the information being itself which are made and selected to be as inclusive as possible. Therefore, it is not limited to readers from a particular background only.

Read my guide below!

Reflection

During the process of working on my project, I was able to acquire a better apprehension of the Globalization and Sustainability global context. I learned how the change in environmental condition would cause a change in human lifestyle as well. I can relate this to how the government of Jakarta is attempting to establish cycling as a new mode of urban transport by providing better facilities and cycling-related events, since the city is dealing with two main problems caused by the overgrowth of conventional vehicles in terms of quantity, which are pollution and severe traffic congestion.

There were many difficulties which I encountered in the process of creating my product. Researching was perhaps the most challenging, mainly because I need to be updated with the recent developments in Jakarta in order to address information that are relevant to the present time and the near future. When designing the product itself, I found no significant difficulty organizing the layout, but rather in terms of creating visually appealing illustrations and backgrounds to my guidebook. However, I was able to overcome all of these challenges by myself with minimum guidance.

I was able to improve and gain an abundance of skills throughout this project-making process. There are some skills which continuously persevered in me, such as my analytical skills and research skills. However, I was able to develop my creative thinking, artistic, and organization skills which were very lacking in me beforehand. In terms of the IB ATL skills, I significantly developed my self-management skills and communication skills by properly organizing my schedule and going out of my comfort zone to actively inquire people who can provide important information. In the end, I am satisfied that I was able to conduct a project that is not only advantageous to my personal growth, but also for the benefit and interest of others.

IB Learner Reflection

As an IB student, we acknowledge the importance of developing our learner profiles. Throughout the process of creating my product, I have developed several learner profiles, namely communicator, inquirer, and thinker. I was able to develop them not only by creating the product itself, but also by undergoing the process of research, brainstorming, and evaluation.

I exhibited a communicator profile during the process of researching and evaluating. Before starting with the product itself, I had to supply myself with a sufficient amount of information related to cycling and the urban developments in Jakarta. Other than conducting secondary research through online and offline sources, I also reached out for an expert who had created a work that are similar to mine. I was able to receive many valuable information including some which couldn’t be found in other media from my primary sources. In the evaluation process, I also developed my communicator profile by letting my peers preview and assess my product in its final stage, then provide constructive feedback.

My inquirer profile was developed mainly during the process of researching. As mentioned before, there are various sources of information that I used, ranging from an expert that I interviewed to online urban development articles. Although it takes time and effort to conduct such a comprehensive exploration of the topic, it allows me to understand the importance of undergoing a process of systematic investigation. Not only in terms of quantity, from various sources, I am able to receive information that is reliable, detailed, and esoteric in some ways.

On the other hand, my thinker profile advances during the brainstorming process. With the ability to think creatively and critically, I was able to come up with a product concept that is uncommon but still relevant to me and the society. This learner profile is also relevant when designing the layout, illustration, decorations, and other artistic aspects of my book. In the process of researching, I used my thinking skills to filter information and finding sources that are credible and experienced.