Jakarta city fathers, appalled by the sight...

Jakarta city fathers, appalled by the sight of panting cyclists pedaling tourists and not-so-well-off Indonesians, are seizing the vehicles by the thousands and throwing them to the fish.

While officials brand public transportation propelled by human power as “inhumane,” operators of the popular three-wheeled bicycle taxis question the humanity of banning their livelihoods.

The police crackdown has been so effective that 43,678 pedicabs have been hauled into a warehouse and 25,000 more have been dumped into the Java Sea around the Thousand Islands, Jakarta municipal spokesman Mochroji Sutomo said.

The artificial reefs create a haven for fish and are a boon to local fishermen. The remaining pedicabs are also destined for watery graves to assist the impoverished fishing community.