Scooting in Bali

4

4lex

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Posts
191
I like to scoot in Bali. I saw they passed laws about not renting out scooters, but I'm sure the enterprising locals have ways around it. What's the latest from the street please?
 
4lex said:
I like to scoot in Bali. I saw they passed laws about not renting out scooters, but I'm sure the enterprising locals have ways around it. What's the latest from the street please?
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I had one a couple of weeks ago in Bali and was no real issue.
The ban was only mooted and from hat I saw and heard it hasn’t taken effect yet. Police were doing a lot more spot checks and luckily I had my license and IDP on me as I was told that you need to carry both when hiring a scooter now
 
Scarlett said:
Which license did you have @jase05, your AUS license, a SIM, or this license:
View attachment 338714

Just kidding. Korupsi tdk boleh.
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On the advice of our good friend over there I carried my Australian license and my IDP as well as a few notes of small denomination.
Got stopped a couple of times but surprisingly didn’t have to offer a bribe.
I can see why they are trying to do it as the traffic was busier than I had ever seen it and a lot of scooters and motorbikes were riding on the footpaths in crowded areas and people walking had to take cover. You can spot the tourists on scooters from a mile away though, they are the ones that obey road signs 🤣
 
In Indonesia especially. It’s chaos, but it’s sort of organised chaos and the locals understand the form of organisation.
 
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Scarlett said:
In Indonesia especially. It’s chaos, but it’s sort of organised chaos and the locals understand the form of organisation.
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Where life has no value & so being killed by someone operating a vehicle randomly as if there were no laws ain’t a problem?

drron said:
Boot Scooting would be safer. ;)
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I’ve seen that Coyote Ugly doco, and strongly disagree.
Being seen hearing country music is not something one can ever recover from.
 
Each to their own of course but IMHO anybody riding a scooter in Bali or other emerging countries might need a brain check - talk about flirting with death.

And I did notice on the news last day or so another Australian in hospital in Bali fighting for his life after a scooter accident - and with virtually ZERO insurance as he apparently did not take out separate cover and was relying on his CC insurance.

Now looking at a bill of A$150K which he does not have and a go-fund-me page or whatever they call it set up to try to raise funds - again each to their own of course.
 
4lex said:
I like to scoot in Bali. I saw they passed laws about not renting out scooters, but I'm sure the enterprising locals have ways around it. What's the latest from the street please?
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This I do not get -> OP before you arrive in a foreign country you are seeking suggestions as to how you break their laws? Maybe I am just getting a little long in the tooth.
 
Cruiser Elite said:
Each to their own of course but IMHO anybody riding a scooter in Bali or other emerging countries might need a brain check - talk about flirting with death.

And I did notice on the news last day or so another Australian in hospital in Bali fighting for his life after a scooter accident - and with virtually ZERO insurance as he apparently did not take out separate cover and was relying on his CC insurance.

Now looking at a bill of A$150K which he does not have and a go-fund-me page or whatever they call it set up to try to raise funds - again each to their own of course.
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Even taking out separate cover can be complicated.

Some police’s require you to have ‘hired’ the moped/motorcycle, which could be difficult to prove if getting it from some makeshift outfit on the side of the road.

You of course have to wear a helmet which some riders don’t do in places like Bali.

But importantly, one agency which offers ‘+’ cover over and above regular moped use has a warning that public liability cover does not apply. You’re covered if you have an accident, but property damage and injury to another party isn’t!
 
I’d bought travel insurance for 18 year old son and his friend for Thailand a few years ago. The friend had a serious motor cycle accident. Almost lost his leg. They were in Chiang Mai then flown to Bangkok Hospital where surgery undertaken then medvacced to Sydney. Travel Insurance Direct were fabulous. The event was so traumatic with so much blood loss etc that they will never ride a motorbike again. His leg has so much scarring. But he’s alive and otherwise well. It was even mentioned in his wedding speech and my son was thanked for taking out that insurance. Yeah. Well. It was in his name anyway. But his new bride came over and gave me a hug and thanked me for saving him. 🥹

This go fund me stuff except in unpreventable accidents or illnesses is getting out of hand. Or else wanting Govt handouts. You can’t afford insurance you can’t afford to travel. And don’t drive motorcycles in foreign lands unless you are an experienced cyclist.
 
Cruiser Elite said:
This I do not get -> OP before you arrive in a foreign country you are seeking suggestions as to how you break their laws?
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Not necessarily. Stuff like this can always be still legal in certain circumstances, and whatever method informed you of the changes might not point those circumstances out if (for example) it doesn’t suit the narrative of the story.

To give a totally unrelated example; I have a modified car.
People in the USA read how the fascist totalitarian communist socialist Australian government doesn’t allow modified cars, unlike in the USA … but the thing they’re reading that’s trying to shock them about how The Man has his boot on our throats doesn’t point-out that (a) it isn’t absolute & you can make changes before it’s even considered “modified”, and (b) it is allowed if you get a qualified person to look over it.
I mean yeah it’s not Absolute Freedom where you’re allowed to do anything you want to anyone you want & to hell with the consequences for anyone but yourself; however, it’s not like there aren’t proper ways to do something, which are fine.
 
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I don’t even understand why people want to hire their own scooters or motor bikes? Just pay the $2 and jump on a Gojek or Grab bike and let the local do the navigating and weaving around traffic (they’ve probably been doing it since they were 12… or younger. OT - the number of kids I see riding motorbikes and scooters around Indonesia makes you realise it’s an entirely normal, not sensible though, part of life).

Or pay the $5 and jump in a taxi.

Or pay the $100 and have a driver and car take you all around the island if you want to go further than just short trips. Still probably cheaper than the extra insurance anyway.

Now, let’s not get started by asking about what cover you have from Gojek/Grab if involved in an accident when using their services…
 
Scarlett said:
I don’t even understand why people want to hire their own scooters or motor bikes? Just pay the $2 and jump on a Gojek or Grab bike and let the local do the navigating and weaving around traffic (they’ve probably been doing it since they were 12… or younger. OT - the number of kids I see riding motorbikes and scooters around Indonesia makes you realise it’s an entirely normal, not sensible though, part of life).

Or pay the $5 and jump in a taxi.

Or pay the $100 and have a driver and car take you all around the island if you want to go further than just short trips. Still probably cheaper than the extra insurance anyway.

Now, let’s not get started by asking about what cover you have from Gojek/Grab if involved in an accident when using their services…
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For one I try to surf, I’m no good at it but I love trying. For me to rent a scooter with board holders is far easier than getting a cab or Gojek bike.
I can get up at first light and head off on the scooter with my board and go for a surf (or attempt to) and then head back to my hotel or villa before the peak traffic kicks in. Some parts of the day are much safer and easier to ride in and I try to avoid super peak periods
 

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