In an effort to reduce the level of air pollution and restore the slogan of "Yogyakarta the Bicycle City", five higher learning institutes launched Friday the "Yogya Fun Cycling, Yogya Returns to Cycling" program.

The program kicked off with a bicycle parade along the main roads connecting the city's five universities.

The process which moved from the Atmajaya, Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta State and Indonesian Islamic universities, and wound up at Gadjah Mada University -- involved the university's five rectors and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

In a speech in Javanese, Hamengkubuwono expressed hope the program would not just be a ceremonial event, but would create real enthusiasm to use bicycles in the city.

"I also promise to get back to cycling to work every Friday," he said.

Gadjah Mada's Tourism Study Center has provided students with more than 100 free-to-use bicycles in strategic locations around campus, including the environmental studies center, the agricultural school and the sports gymnasium.

They are painted green with the words "Green UGM Bicycles" and "Free Use" under their saddles.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20060902.G12