BALI BIKE BAN
Indonesia ’ s tourist island of Bali is set to introduce more rules that could make it almost impossible for the motorcycle traveller .
Governor for the island , Wayan Koster , said on March 12 , 2023 , during a media briefing , that the local government plans to crack down on foreign tourists who work illegally on the island , potentially making it a punishable crime to be a digital nomad . The rules go a step further in that foreigners will no longer be allowed to rent motorcycles .
In the briefing , Koster said that tourists will not be allowed to travel the island by motorcycle or scooter and will now only have access to four wheeled vehicles . He went on to say that foreigners riding motorcycles without valid paperwork and helmets , or those who drive recklessly , use fake identification , or abuse travel and work permits will be targeted .
Bali has long been a travel favourite , especially with Australians , and has also been seen as an island of choice for overlanders when hopping from Australia to Asia , or reverse , yet now relations have become terse especially since the Covid-19 pandemic in which a number of foreign travellers seemed to have little regard for the local people .
The motorcycle ban seems to be the latest way to target tourists who are seen to have little regard for themselves or others .
“ You should not roam about the island using motorbikes without wearing shirts or clothes , no helmet , and even without a licence ,” said Koster .
The proposed bans will be brought in later this year however , it is not clear how it will be policed and what the penalties will be .
Local motorcycle rental operators have raised concerns over the bans and see it as a direct attack on the tourism industry , believing it is hasty and without serious consideration for local businesses who are still struggling to recover from the two-year pandemic .
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