Scooter Rentals in Bali: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
January 2014
Its been great fun riding a scooter around Bali....it really provides freedom for exploring off the beaten track areas. However, roads are in poor condition and drivers are constantly in chaos. With no traffic rules to speak of, this can create a dangerous situation.
To legally rent a scooter in Bali, you are required to have a temporary license issued in Bali or a valid motorcycle license from your country. But the rental business is so wide spread and generates so much tourist income that its become common practice to rent without any such documents and local police have learned to take advantage of this by targeting tourists in hopes of making some extra cash. We were given various forms of advice should we be pulled over by police ranging from pretending not to speak English to simply handing over a ready amount of money.
After a few days of relatively hassle free riding, we indeed got spotted and pulled over by the Balinese police. We had agreed on a plan of action beforehand, should we put in this perdicament but it still raises your blood pressure when you actually have to experience it . After pulling onto the side of the road, a jovial and friendly policeman walked over and started talking to us, swiftly showing us prices of traffic fines but then quickly indicating all prices were negotiable; as though we were strolling through a trinket shop in town. We quickly began speaking gibberish and making gestures of not understanding what he wanted. After a few minutes of this, we eventually reached into our handy pocket and pulled out our "bribe money", about the equivalent of $5 Canadian dollars. He didn't look impressed with the amount, but descretely took it anyway, patted Doug on the shoulder and sent us on our way!
With one stressful situation out of the way, we thought we were in the clear. However, after leaving Munduk we were propelled, literally, into another more serious situation. We were heading to Jatiluwih to see more of the amazing rice terraces and as we were coming downhill around a corner, a piece of road was missing and we ended up in the ditch, thrown from our scooter! It felt like slow motion as we tumbled forward, falling on top of each other followed by the scooter on top of us! As we laid there, we were in shock but not seriously hurt. Though we did suffer severe bloody scrapes all over our arms and legs. Luckily, there was no damage to the scooter and after slowly picking up our bike, we walked a short distance to the home of a local family. They helped us and provided water and disinfectant to wash up our wounds and were extremely sweet to us. This kind gesture filled our hearts in a moment where we felt very vulnerable. Another example of the beauty of Balinese people.
We decided it was best to detour and head back to Ubud for some medical supplies and a huge lesson learned. Though it was fun, we both agree, no more scooters for a while!
To legally rent a scooter in Bali, you are required to have a temporary license issued in Bali or a valid motorcycle license from your country. But the rental business is so wide spread and generates so much tourist income that its become common practice to rent without any such documents and local police have learned to take advantage of this by targeting tourists in hopes of making some extra cash. We were given various forms of advice should we be pulled over by police ranging from pretending not to speak English to simply handing over a ready amount of money.
After a few days of relatively hassle free riding, we indeed got spotted and pulled over by the Balinese police. We had agreed on a plan of action beforehand, should we put in this perdicament but it still raises your blood pressure when you actually have to experience it . After pulling onto the side of the road, a jovial and friendly policeman walked over and started talking to us, swiftly showing us prices of traffic fines but then quickly indicating all prices were negotiable; as though we were strolling through a trinket shop in town. We quickly began speaking gibberish and making gestures of not understanding what he wanted. After a few minutes of this, we eventually reached into our handy pocket and pulled out our "bribe money", about the equivalent of $5 Canadian dollars. He didn't look impressed with the amount, but descretely took it anyway, patted Doug on the shoulder and sent us on our way!
With one stressful situation out of the way, we thought we were in the clear. However, after leaving Munduk we were propelled, literally, into another more serious situation. We were heading to Jatiluwih to see more of the amazing rice terraces and as we were coming downhill around a corner, a piece of road was missing and we ended up in the ditch, thrown from our scooter! It felt like slow motion as we tumbled forward, falling on top of each other followed by the scooter on top of us! As we laid there, we were in shock but not seriously hurt. Though we did suffer severe bloody scrapes all over our arms and legs. Luckily, there was no damage to the scooter and after slowly picking up our bike, we walked a short distance to the home of a local family. They helped us and provided water and disinfectant to wash up our wounds and were extremely sweet to us. This kind gesture filled our hearts in a moment where we felt very vulnerable. Another example of the beauty of Balinese people.
We decided it was best to detour and head back to Ubud for some medical supplies and a huge lesson learned. Though it was fun, we both agree, no more scooters for a while!