President sees off cyclists to campaign climate change

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the National Monument square here Sunday morning saw off cyclists who will run from Jakarta to Bali as part of a campaign on the climate change.

On the occasion, the head of state gave the Red and White flags to the cyclists who will be on a 1447-kilometer long trip from the capital city to the resourt island.

"I encourage our brothers to promote cycling as it has a lot of advantages," the head of state said, adding that the event was held also as an effort to save the earth.

Meanwhile, State Minister for the Environment Rahmat Witoelar said Bicycle for Earth Goes to Bali would take place from November 11 to December 1, 2007, as part of the UN Conference on Climate Change to be held from December 3 to 14, 2007 in Bali.

The cycling event is being participated in by 50 cyclists consisting of 15 participants of the main team who will be running the Jakarta-Bali route and 35 members of the cycling community from cities where they will pass through.

The route will pass through the cities of Jakarta, Karawang, Pamanukan, Cirebon, Tegal-Pekalongan, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo, Madiun, kertosono, Surabaya, Probolinggo, Situbondo, Banyuwangi, Tabanan, Denpasar, Nusadua.

"The cyclists will take the distance of 1447 kilometers passing through 44 cities with stopovers in 16 cities," the minister said.

The 15 cyclists in the main team have passed a selection test as they were able to take a nonstop trip from Jakarta to Bandung (West Java).

"The event is intended to campaign and popularize the use of bicycles in support of the people`s daily activities," he said.

Rahmat said along the route, the campaign team were scheduled to make socialization on impacts of the climate change and alternative solutions to the issue through mass media as well as discussions with regional leaders and people among other things.

On the occasion, the president in tandem with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono accompanied the cyclists till the Hotel Indonesia circle, Jakarta.