REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, As agile as motorcycle, a bicycle moves swiftly among the cars. It runs pass other vehicles. Do not imagine it as a racing bike or mountain bike. In fact, it is not modern at all. It is not even made in world-famous company. It is “onthel” bike.

This vintage bicycle has distinct features. Its antiqueness is seen from the higher height, the big steer, and wide diameter of the tire. The head lamp also brings the memory of historic days. Onthel is often seen in Kota Tua –or Old city- in West and North Jakarta. They are parked in the pavement. In this place, onthel is served as ojek –literally means bicycle taxi.

It is Syamsul (60) who serves as an onthel ojek in Kota Tua. His onthel is also as old as his age. Owned by Syamsul from 1970s, the black onthel is rusty yet it can run fast. At his age, Syamsul still has the big spirit to ride his old bike.

Syamsul has become an onthel ojek since 1995. He usually waits for his customers in Sunda Kelapa Harbor, North Jakarta. This place is crowded with local and foreign tourists. He often takes the tourists to Sunda Kelapa Harbor or just circling the beautiful Kota Tua. Like a tourist guide, he offers his customers to visit the museum in Kota Tua.

Knowing the story of every building in Kota Tua, Syamsul always tell its story to his customers. His income, he said, was enough for him. He gets 60.000 IDR per day.

Onthel can also be seen in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. Tanjung Priok is not a historical place. Here, onthel is only served as ojek. Unfortunately, in this region, onthel should compete with motorcycle ojek. Yet, it seems nothing can beat the onthel ojek.  

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