Bali Is Banning Tourists From Renting Motorbikes To Crack Down On Bad Behaviour 

The Indonesian island of Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes.

The new rules - part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour - come after a series of traffic offences by foreigners.

Visitors will be encouraged to rent cars instead.

" As tourists, [you should] act as tourists,” Governor I Wayan Koster said.

“[This means] using the vehicles prepared by travel agents, instead of roaming around with motorbikes, without wearing t-shirts and clothes, with no helmets, violating [traffic rules], and even without a licence.”

Around 6.2 million people visited Bali in 2019 - including 1.2 million Australians.

Many of these tourists favour motorbikes to get around which can easily navigate the country’s winding roads.

Why is Bali banning bikes for tourists?

Over 170 foreign nationals have broke traffic laws between February and March, according to local media reports.

Common offences include drunk driving, speeding, and the use of fake license plates.

Bali’s economy is heavily reliant on visitors, with tourism contributing around 60 per cent of the island’s annual Gross domestic product. Many businesses were decimated during the pandemic.

After international travel restrictions were eased, travel has rebounded.

But locals are getting increasingly fed up with anti-social behaviour and hooliganism.

“Why now? Because we are currently tidying up, during the COVID-19 pandemic we couldn’t have possibly done that because there were no tourists,” he told to Kompas news.

405 people died in Bali in 2020 due to motor vehicle incidents, the Bali Sun reports.

The ban will be implemented sometime later this year. The government have not outlined how it will be enforced.

Not everyone is pleased with the plans. Dedek Warjana, chair of Bali's motorbike rental association, said the authorities should act on specific violations instead of setting a blanket ban.

“I visit Bali every year but if the scooters are banned I will not be coming back for sure,” wrote one Twitter user.

Bali to crack down on Ukrainian and Russian tourists

Alongside the bike ban, Bali’s governor asked Jakarta authorities to revoke visas for Ukrainian and Russian tourists.

These travellers - who “flock to Bali” - are the worst behaved, the governor claims. Several have been arrested for misusing visitors visas to set up businesses.

More than 77,500 Russians and 8,800 Ukrainians arrived in Indonesia between September 2022 and January 2023.

RECENT NEWS

Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé Opens In Moroccos Tallest Building

The new property is found within the 55-storey Mohammed VI Tower, which is also the third tallest skyscraper in Africa. Read more

Florences Iconic Villa San Michele Hotel Reopens With Revamped Spa, Rooms And Gardens

After an 18-month renovation, Belmond’s Villa San Michele has reopened in the hills above Florence with refreshed room... Read more

Travelling To Bosnia And Herzegovina? Heres What Visitors Need To Know

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s centuries-old heritage and a growing, creative hospitality scene are helping to establish the... Read more

Raves, Cruises And Historic Train Rides: Where To Watch The 2026 Eclipse This August

On 12 August, those in the path of totality will be plunged into darkness for up to two minutes. Read more

Broadening Access To Contemporary Art: The Best Art-inspired Stays In Europe

With design-led rooms, on-site exhibitions and distinctive interiors, arty hotels offer unending guest experiences. Read more

Airlines Cut 13,000 Flights And Two Million Seats In May Due To Jet Fuel Crisis

Airlines across the world have cut thousands of May flights and scaled back capacity as the jet fuel shortage begins to ... Read more