Bridgestone Indonesia Elevates Road Safety at SMPN 2 Bekasi City, West Java, Indonesia

Road Safety Workshop for Students

Article written by: Windu Mulyana, Estiara Ellizar, Titis Efrindu Bawono.

PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia has made significant strides in enhancing road safety at SMPN 2 (Junior High School) Bekasi City, West Java, through its Road Safety School Program. Through support from local Road Safety consultant (Windu Mulyana as team leader, supported by Estiara Ellizar and Titis Efrindu Bawono as co-lead), this initiative was conducted in collaboration with key local authorities such as Department of Transport, Department of Education, Police Metro Bekasi, Department of Public Works, and SMPN 2 Teachers, addressing critical risks in school zones through education, participatory engagement, and targeted infrastructure improvements.

The program has successfully elevated the safety rating of the school entrance from 1.0-star to 3.8-star, as assessed by the International Road Assessment Programme Star Rating for Schools (iRAP SR4S).

The program began with a city-wide webinar, where 290 teachers from 89 schools across Bekasi were introduced to road safety concepts and guided on assessing risks around their school environments. Following an evaluation of 48 participating schools, 10 were identified as high risk. Of these, five schools underwent in-depth assessments, including surveys and interviews, to evaluate their needs and potential for collaboration. SMPN 2 Bekasi emerged as the selected school due to its high-risk profile and exemplary cooperation and commitment to the program. This marked the beginning of a comprehensive, multi-phased effort to improve safety conditions for students and the surrounding community.

To ensure a systematic and effective approach, the program was implemented following a planned timeline from June to December 2024. Between June and July, Bridgestone Indonesia coordinated with stakeholders and conducted a city-wide webinar to engage schools and introduce the initiative. From August to September, traffic surveys were conducted, and nearly 200 students participated in participatory workshops to identify risks and brainstorm solutions. In October, field surveys and in-depth coordination with SMPN 2 Bekasi led to the design of tailored infrastructure improvements. By November, the installation of safety infrastructure, including marked pedestrian crossings, refuge islands, traffic calming measures was completed. Finally, in December, the improved infrastructure was officially handed over to the school, marking the successful completion of the program.

Students and teachers played a central role in the program through participatory workshops. During these sessions, participants identified challenges, conducted traffic surveys, and proposed solutions tailored to their needs. These workshops not only fostered a sense of ownership but also ensured that interventions were grounded in practical, real-world insights. Key risks, such as the absence of pedestrian crossings, blind spots near the school gate, and high-speed traffic, were highlighted during these activities.

Using the iRAP SR4S tool, the program assessed the safety of the school zone, revealing an initial rating of 1.0-star. Based on these findings, PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia implemented targeted infrastructure improvements, including marked pedestrian crossings with refuge islands, traffic calming measures like speed bumps, and more prominent 30km/h speed limit signage. These interventions were designed to address the most pressing safety concerns and create a more secure environment for over 1,200 students.

Before-After intervention

The results have been transformative which has been improving the star rating from 1.0-star to 3.8-star. This success underscores the power of combining technical expertise with community-driven solutions to achieve meaningful, sustainable change. In the coming year, PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia plans to expand the scope of the Road Safety School Program to include another high-risk school identified during the initial assessment.

Handover Ceremony

By leveraging the lessons learned and successes achieved at SMPN 2 Bekasi, PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia aims to replicate and scale the program’s impact, ensuring that more students and communities across Bekasi can benefit from safer school journeys. This expansion reflects Bridgestone’s commitment to their mission of Serving Society with Superior Quality, and enabling safer journeys and mobility for all.