A tourist has been slammed online after being filmed without a helmet on the back of a motorbike in Bali, carrying a large suitcase and drinking.
The video posted by British traveller Anne Malambo and reshared by the Instagram account Bali Livin’ has been used to call out foreigners for not following the rules – a hot topic among locals.
Just last week, police in Buleleng said they were cracking down on tourists using motorbikes following the death of three foreigners on the roads in their district this month.
And last month Indonesia’s Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Made Ayu Marthini told news.com.au stricter rules were being enforced across the popular holiday island.
Many social media users – both foreigners and locals – criticised the tourist in the video for not paying the extra money for a taxi.
Others highlighted it was not only dangerous to not wear a helmet but also having so much skin exposed while riding on a motorbike.
“More foolish bule! It never ends!” one person wrote, using the name Indonesians call foreigners.
“Despite the many warnings and examples of why you shouldn’t do this, it’s the first thing people do. Good luck in Bali hospital,” said another.
But not all agreed the tourist should be shamed.
“Nothing to see here. They’re riding as slow and safely as it gets. She’s done this before, and this is nothing compared to dealing with how a lot of locals ride. Just another day in Bali,” said one person.
“She’s having the time of her life. Being young and carefree. Enjoy every moment and building memories,” said another.
A big rumour that tourists will no longer be able to rent motorbikes in Bali had been circulating for more than seven months until Mrs Marthini set the record straight in October.
The “motorbike ban” or “scooter ban” first made global headlines in March after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster told media that unruly tourists had prompted changes that would see foreigners only allowed to rent cars from travel agents.
It was understood he had asked the Indonesian legal ministry to enact the ban.
But when news.com.au asked Indonesia’s Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Made Ayu Marthini during her visit to Melbourne whether the ban was going to happen, she said there was no flat out ban but rather stricter rules being enforced – meaning it will likely become harder for Australians to rent a motorbike in Bali.
“If you ride a motorbike, just as in Australia, you should have a helmet and a license for your safety as well as that of other motorists,” Mrs Marthini said, referring to the country’s plea for tourists to respect its local laws and customs.
As for the crackdown on motorbikes, she explained “the laws have always existed, but we [are] just proceeding to push the enforcement of these laws”.
“This is for tourist safety as well as that of our Indonesian community,” she said.
“The laws do not ban tourists from renting scooters, only from renting them from unauthorised rental operators.”
Last week AKP Bachtiar Arifin, head of traffic unit for Buleleng Police, told reporters that changes must be made after three died in separate incidents in the regency.
“What is clear is that we will carry out outreach to rental services and hotels, including limiting and selectively using motorbikes, especially foreign nationals,” he said, as reported by The Bali Sun.
That outlet also reported hotels who provide motorbike rental services will be asked to take preventive steps including accompanying foreign guests on motorbikes.
He said police would “increase patrols in places where there are many foreigners” and “carry out law enforcement” if foreigners are found to be breaking traffic laws, including not having an international driver’s licence or wearing a helmet.