The government of Bali has taken steps which will effectively ban tourists from renting motorbikes as a means of transport around the island. This step will be taken after there have been many complaints by locals of tourists breaking traffic laws which have led to injuries and in some cases, death of the local residents. From now on, tourists will be transported in vehicles provided by travel agents.
Statement from Bali’s Governor
According to the statement made at a press conference by Governor Wayne Koster made on Monday, tourists are disorderly, paying no heed to the traffic laws put in place. They do not even put on helmets while riding their motorbikes, which is quite unsafe for them as well as bystanders. By using modes of transport provided by travel agencies, the tourists will be able to reach certain standards of safety which will ‘ensure quality and dignified tourism’, according to the Governor. At this point though, this ban has not been implemented. The Governor has just proposed this rule at the press conference.
Governor Wayne Koster has also taken steps to work with the legal ministry to let Bali revoke the visas of foreign tourists who are found to be riding motorbikes, or if they are found to be indulging in other wrongdoings like working in Bali illegally or misusing stay permits.
Injuries caused by tourists
Such injuries and accidents caused by the recklessness of tourists have been happening for a few months. Last month, a Russian tourist was detained by the police after it was discovered by the police that he crashed into a local after riding a motorbike under the influence of alcohol, causing the local to sustain major injuries and leading him to be hospitalized.Â
Response to the banning
This news has caused anger and agitation among tourists across the world. Some are furious at the fact they will no longer be able to get muffler burns and road rash. Some have expressed on social media that if scooters and other motorbikes are banned, they might not go back to Bali.
Some have also expressed how banning selective people from certain prominent modes of transport was wrong and would also lead to adverse effects to Bali’s overall revenue. Some have also blamed the locals for not cooperating with the tourists and not wearing helmets themselves, leading to more and more accidents and injuries.
But this step by Governor Koster has been appreciated and agreed with by many across the world. Calling tourists ‘arrogant’, many have suggested that this was the correct step in ensuring the safety of the locals. Many have supported Governor Koster by saying that foreign tourists do not respect and lack the awareness and the sense of responsibility of driving safely on foreign roads.
But many local motorbike rental agencies have commented that this step will result in their revenue taking a massive hit. Adding to that, they have also said that now tourists will also be inclined to rent cars and such larger vehicles, which will end up causing more congestion and traffic problems on the roads. They have also suggested that instead of banning tourists from renting motorbikes, there should be tighter surveillance and more checkpoints to ensure that the tourists are not misusing the advantage that they are enjoying.
