Rundefeated

Car Free Day: The Weekly Oasis in Indonesia’s Concrete Jungle

If you’ve ever been to Indonesia, you’ll quickly realize two things: one, we love motorcycles more than Italians love espresso, and two, the concept of walking in the city without being ambushed by vehicles is almost a fantasy. In a country where public transportation is still catching up and public spaces are precious like a rare Pokémon card, the idea of a Car Free Day is not just an event — it’s a weekly miracle.

What surprises me is how rare this concept is globally. Sure, I’ve traveled to several countries where Sundays feel a little quieter. Some cities in Europe might close certain roads or have car restrictions in old towns, but it’s not the same. In Indonesia, when we say Car Free Day, we mean it. Major roads are sealed off for hours, no cars, no motorcycles, and the only thing left is a long, glorious stretch of asphalt for pedestrians, cyclists, runners, and anyone else brave enough to enjoy the tropical heat.

I had the chance to visit Car Free Day in Jakarta this morning, and as usual, it felt like stepping into an alternate dimension. The same road where buses honk, motorcycles weave like stunt drivers, and cars crawl like lazy sloths on weekdays, transforms into an open playground. Suddenly, families are walking together, dogs are chasing after soap bubbles, and runners are clocking their Sunday mileage without playing a real-life version of Frogger.

The beauty of Car Free Day is that it’s not just Jakarta’s thing. Cities like Solo, Surabaya, Bandung, and Semarang also have their versions. It’s become a weekly ritual where streets turn into pop-up markets, music stages appear from nowhere, and aerobic instructors unleash their inner Beyoncé in front of enthusiastic uncles and aunties. It’s not just exercise — it’s a full-on cultural phenomenon that somehow stitches the city together for a few precious hours.

What fascinates me most is how many tourists I see during these Car Free Day mornings. Some are backpackers, some are expats, and some just look completely confused but happy. I’ve overheard comments like, “Wait… people can actually walk here?” and “This is better than my hotel gym!” It makes you wonder why more cities around the world don’t adopt this. Because in places overwhelmed by traffic and lacking green open areas, a few hours of car-free streets can be a temporary urban paradise.

In the end, Car Free Day isn’t just about jogging or selling fried tofu on the sidewalk. It’s about reclaiming public space, even if it’s only for a morning. It’s a reminder that cities are meant for people first, not vehicles. And in a nation where exhaust fumes are practically part of the national air, those few hours of cleaner air and unblocked streets feel like a small, hopeful rebellion. Long live Car Free Day — may the asphalt always be ours, at least until noon.