"I see that Indonesia`s bicycle production capacity is able to double that of Taiwan and China," the Youth and Sports Affairs Minister said after opening CycleIndo 2012 bicycle expo here on Saturday.
Andi added that industries in Indonesia were now able to not only manufacture bicycles, but also their spare parts and other accessories while maintaining the same quality and selling them at lower prices.
The country`s tourism industry also enjoyed the benefit of the growth in the bicycle industry with the increasing number of fun-bike events, including cycling festivals such as the Tour de Singkarak and others, the minister noted.
Further, he said, the government and the B2W (Bike To Work) community have been preparing a lane for cyclists riding bicycles to work.
B2W Indonesia chairman Toto Sugito said his organization had established cooperation with the Transportation Services of Jakarta in providing a special lane for cyclists along the Eastern Flood Canal (BKT) so the public could bicycle conveniently and safely.
Steve Tamaela, who is director of PT International Event Asia and the organizer of the CycleIndo 2012, said the expo was aimed at encouraging the Indonesian people to use bicycles as a healthy means of transportation.
The CycleIndo is being held at Kartini Hall from October 5 to October 7, 2012.
With a population of about 240 million, Indonesia is well-suited for profitable bicycle businesses as well as bicycle spare parts and accessory industries, he said.
(A014/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
