New electric motorcycle hits Bali

The Jakarta Post, Kuta | Mon, 05/17/2010 11:54 AM | Bali
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A type of electric motorcycle that has been introduced to Bali recently has been hailed as an environmentally friendly alternative mode of transportation.

The motorcycle or e-bike is hoped to inspire public transportation operators throughout the country to switch to low-carbon emission vehicles.

Introduced last month by major beverage producer Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia as part of its corporate social responsibility program, the e-Bike is being used by police officers on Kuta beach and by the company's staff, who had been using petrol-powered motorcycles.

"This electric bike emits 78 percent less carbon than a conventional motorbike," said Sri Purwanto, a corporate social responsibility and sustainability manager at the company.

"Besides, the e-bike is much quieter and easier to control, thus more efficient and safer for the rider.

"After 8 hours of charging, the vehicle can travel up to 70 kilometers at a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour. They are also easy to maintain."

He said the company was switching to the new motorcycle to support the energy acceleration project in Bali and to help develop an ecologically responsible tourist destination.

The company's Bali office currently operates three e-Bikes to support its business in popular beach areas.

The company said that in the coming months it expected to introduce more e-Bikes to replace petrol-powered motorcycles in other areas in Indonesia.

"We hope this e-Bike project will encourage other local transport providers and users to move to these solutions in Bali and other heavy traffic areas, such as Jakarta," Purwanto said.

Since 2008, the company has also held a daily cleanup campaign at five major beaches across Bali: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak Kedonganan and Jimbaran.

"We provide three garbage trucks to clean garbage. We also hire 74 officers to clean the beaches everyday from 7 a.m to 2 p.m," Purwanto said.

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