The Indonesian island of Bali has banned tourists from renting motorbikes in a new effort to curb antisocial behaviour. The move follows a string of traffic violations by foreigners, including drunk driving, speeding, and using fake license plates.
- Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes to curb antisocial behaviour and traffic offences by foreigners.
- Visitors will be encouraged to rent cars instead of motorbikes, which are popular among tourists.
- Tourism is a vital part of Bali’s economy, but locals are increasingly frustrated with tourist hooliganism and unruly behaviour.
The new rules aim to encourage visitors to rent cars instead of motorbikes, which are popular among tourists and easily navigable on the country’s winding roads.
Governor I Wayan Koster said tourists should “act as tourists,” use vehicles provided by travel agents, and abide by traffic rules.
Tourism is a vital part of Bali’s economy, with the sector contributing about 60% of the island’s annual GDP. However, many locals have grown increasingly frustrated with tourist hooliganism and unruly behaviour, with some blaming tourists for the high number of road accidents that occurred in 2020, causing 405 fatalities.
Although travel has rebounded after international travel restrictions were lifted, Bali’s businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic.
The ban on renting motorbikes is expected to be implemented later this year, but the government has not yet revealed how it will be enforced.
Not all locals and tourists are pleased with the new rules, with some arguing that specific violations should be targeted instead of imposing a blanket ban.
One Twitter user said they would not be returning to Bali if motorbikes were banned. However, the government believes the move is necessary to tidy up the island and curb antisocial behaviour, which has been made more visible by the pandemic-induced lull in tourism.
