3 MIN READ
11-05-2024
3 MIN READ
11-05-2024
Unexpected Discovery: Recovering an Abandoned Bicycle to Protect Our River
Dirga, 4ocean Crew Member
On October 20, 2024, our cleanup team—Sahdan, Deny, and Farizi—set out on a mission to clear waste from Tukad Daya river. As we combed the riverbank, prepared to remove the usual plastic and other waste, we had no idea what awaited us. The day quickly became one for the books when Farizi’s foot got caught on something unexpected—a bicycle, half-buried and hidden beneath the grass along the river.
At first, we were all confused as to what he’d tripped over. After a bit of digging, we pulled out an entire bicycle, covered in mud and debris.
The shock was real. In all our cleanups, none of us had ever encountered something like this before. The old, rusted bike had likely been sitting in the river for a long time, maybe even washed down by floodwaters from further upstream. Finding a bicycle in the river was more than just surprising; it was alarming. We couldn’t help but think about the danger it posed, especially for local children who often play along this stretch of the river.
The discovery of the bike served as a stark reminder of the impact of careless waste disposal. For many people in this area, the Tukad Daya river is more than just water—it’s a vital resource, used for bathing, washing clothes, and other daily activities. Any large, discarded item like this bicycle not only contaminates the river but also puts people’s safety at risk. It was a relief to know we’d found it before it could harm anyone.
With the bike removed, we continued our work, filling sacks with plastic waste, diapers, lamp pieces, electrical cables, and more. In total, we collected nearly 220 pounds of waste. But even with the heavy lifting, we kept our spirits up. Discovering something unusual like the bike brought an unexpected excitement to the cleanup and gave us extra motivation to clear the river of any potential hazards.
The discovery of the bike served as a stark reminder of the impact of careless waste disposal. For many people in this area, the Tukad Daya river is more than just water—it’s a vital resource, used for bathing, washing clothes, and other daily activities. Any large, discarded item like this bicycle not only contaminates the river but also puts people’s safety at risk. It was a relief to know we’d found it before it could harm anyone.
With the bike removed, we continued our work, filling sacks with plastic waste, diapers, lamp pieces, electrical cables, and more. In total, we collected nearly 220 pounds of waste. But even with the heavy lifting, we kept our spirits up. Discovering something unusual like the bike brought an unexpected excitement to the cleanup and gave us extra motivation to clear the river of any potential hazards.
Reflecting on the day, we realized the importance of educating the community about the dangers of dumping waste into the river. It was hard not to wonder how a bike had ended up in the river in the first place. This kind of behavior underscores the need for more community awareness. If we want to keep our rivers clean and safe for everyone, we need to work together to spread the word about proper waste disposal.
Our cleanups often reveal items that shouldn’t be there, but this bicycle was a new and powerful reminder of why we do this work. As we loaded the bags of waste onto the truck and looked at the clean riverbank, we felt a sense of pride. The Tukad Daya river deserves to flow free from hazardous waste, and we’re committed to making that a reality, one cleanup at a time.
Reflecting on the day, we realized the importance of educating the community about the dangers of dumping waste into the river. It was hard not to wonder how a bike had ended up in the river in the first place. This kind of behavior underscores the need for more community awareness. If we want to keep our rivers clean and safe for everyone, we need to work together to spread the word about proper waste disposal.
Reflecting on the day, we realized the importance of educating the community about the dangers of dumping waste into the river. It was hard not to wonder how a bike had ended up in the river in the first place. This kind of behavior underscores the need for more community awareness. If we want to keep our rivers clean and safe for everyone, we need to work together to spread the word about proper waste disposal.
