Risks of Speeding on a Motorbike in Bali You Should Know

Bali is a dream destination, offering an incredible mix of culture, stunning landscapes, and the exhilarating freedom of cruising the island on a scooter. This is why scooter rental Bali is so popular. 

However, that sense of freedom often tempts visitors into speeding on a motorbike, a practice that is not only dangerous but entirely out of sync with the reality of Bali traffic.

If you're one of those tourists who enjoys the thrill of riding fast and the rush of adrenaline, especially if you're engaging in sensation seeking behavior on an unfamiliar bike, you need to hit the brakes. 

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The tourist perception of risk often drastically underestimates the genuine dangers present on Balinese roads. 

This article isn't meant to spoil your vacation, but to offer vital road safety education so you can avoid becoming a negative crash statistics point.

1. Loss of Control and Instability

At high speeds, maintaining equilibrium becomes a knife-edge challenge. Inexperienced riders or those unfamiliar with the smaller, lighter bikes common in Bali are particularly prone to losing balance. 

Even a slight imperfection on the road, a sudden gust of wind, or an unexpected move by a pedestrian can cause the bike to lose control and wobble, throwing you off course and into immediate danger. The faster you go, the less control you have, leaving no room for error.

2. Limited Evasion Space and Reaction Time

Speed dramatically increases the distance required to bring a vehicle to a stop. 

When you are speeding on a motorbike, your braking distance is exponentially longer, and your time to react to a sudden hazard, like a dog running into the road, a parked car pulling out, or an unpredictable driver making a sudden turn, becomes severely restricted. 

In an instant, you transition from cruising to facing an unavoidable motorcycle accident. 

The difference between a close call and a serious crash often comes down to a few feet you simply cannot afford to lose at high velocity.

Read Also:

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3. Uneven Road Conditions and Potholes

Many Balinese roads, especially away from the main bypasses, are peppered with deep potholes, unexpected gravel patches, and undulating surfaces. 

Hitting an uneven patch while speeding on a motorbike can cause the suspension to bottom out or the bike to bounce uncontrollably, potentially launching you into the opposing lane, risking a devastating head-on collision. 

You’ll be propelled into danger before you even have a chance to shout a warning.

4. Narrow Lanes and Blind Corners

Bali’s charm often lies in its narrow village roads and winding routes. These roads leave almost no margin for error. 

Speeding on a motorbike into a tight corner drastically increases the chance of skidding out and hitting a hard object, a wall, or a tree. 

Furthermore, given that Indonesia drives on the left-hand traffic side, tourists used to driving on the right can face momentary confusion, which is amplified when they ride too fast. 

When the space to correct a mistake is limited, high speed is simply inviting trouble.

5. High Risk of Chain-Reaction Collisions

The culture of Bali traffic is often described as "flow" rather than strict rule-following. This means traffic can slow or stop instantly. 

If you are riding with excessive speed, you will be unprepared for the vehicle ahead of you that is slowing down suddenly or stopped completely. 

This frequently results in a severe rear-end collision or a panic brake maneuver that causes the rider to be thrown from the bike. 

Overtaking at high speed is equally risky and a prime cause of multi-vehicle pile-ups.

6. Extreme Traffic Congestion

In urban areas like Denpasar, Seminyak, or Canggu, the traffic can be incredibly dense. 

Speeding on a motorbike in this bumper-to-bumper environment is not just foolhardy; it’s an act of reckless behavior that endangers everyone. 

High speed in dense traffic leaves no space for merging, sudden braking, or the quick maneuvers necessary to navigate the congestion, significantly increasing the likelihood of an accident and even confrontations with other drivers.

7. Police Stops, Fines, and Legal Trouble

Speeding on a motorbike is a serious traffic violation in Indonesia. 

Bali is increasingly deploying electronic traffic law enforcement (e-TLE) cameras, which automatically detect and record violations like speeding. 

Even without these, you risk being stopped by the police. 

These police stops often target foreign riders for things like not having the correct license requirements (i.e., a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home license) or not complying with the helmet law (helmet required at all times).

If you don't know what to do once you get pulled over by police in Bali, take a look at our guide here: What Tourists Should Know When Pulled Over by Police in Bali.

You will be liable for any traffic fines incurred, which is a condition explicitly stated by reputable rental companies like Cinchy. 

Worse still, if you are involved in an accident, your actions could be viewed as aggressive riding or even drunk driving, leading to severe legal issues.

Read our article here to know how strict Bali’s drink driving laws: Here's Bali Drink Driving Laws You Should Be Aware Of.

8. Financial Ruin If It Leads to Accident

An accident in Bali while speeding on a motorbike can lead to immediate financial crisis. Hospital costs for a foreigner can be astronomical. 

Even if you have travel insurance, policies often have clauses that exclude coverage for damages or injuries sustained while operating a vehicle illegally (like speeding) or without the proper license requirements. 

This could leave you footing bills that run into the tens of thousands of dollars for a medical emergency or for the repair of the rental scooter.

Ride Smart and Safe in Bali with Cinchy

Your safety is the priority, which is why choosing a reputable rental company is the first step towards road safety.

At Cinchy, we prioritize your safe experience. 

Our well-maintained and safe scooters are regularly serviced to ensure they are in excellent condition. We make the rental process transparent and easy:

Just show your Valid ID (Passport or KTP), Valid Driving License (International or SIM C), round-trip flight tickets, and hotel bookings for the rental duration. 

Enjoy competitive prices starting from IDR 95,000/day for automatic scooters, with weekly and monthly options available. 

We offer 24/7 service and free delivery and pickup service in major urban areas.

Remember that as the renter, you are liable for all traffic fines and damages. 

While we offer insurance options (Full Coverage is highly recommended), negligence, including damages caused by reckless driving, may still require you to cover costs up to the deductible.

Know about limiting riding in Bali and decided to get a scooter ASAP? Book a scooter in Cinchy now!