legality of motor bikes on the beach?

mugwump

Having heard from different ex-pats that motor bikes are not legally allowed to race on the beach it occurred to me to post here and learn if anyone has concrete information on the subject. Obviously in areas where beaches have dense populations it would be hazardous and not permitted, whereas in sparsely populated parts of Bali containing wide sand beaches it could and does occur. But the question rests on the legality of it, and specifically racing? The act of merely riding a bike down a lonely stretch of beach is not the issue. What is in question is whether more than one bike is being used to outdistance another or several bikes. Thanks for your input.

Markit

What he said ^^^^^^^

mugwump

Some ex-pat stated something about not believing anything an ex-pat says. Sounds like a bit of self indictment? Then finds my question very odd?

Smoke

is the expat racing or are locals racing ?

sugarbear

[b]Legality in Bali?[/b]

mugwump wroteHaving heard from different ex-pats that motor bikes are not legally allowed to race on the beach it occurred to me to post here and learn if anyone has concrete information on the subject. Obviously in areas where beaches have dense populations it would be hazardous and not permitted, whereas in sparsely populated parts of Bali containing wide sand beaches it could and does occur. But the question rests on the legality of it, and specifically racing? The act of merely riding a bike down a lonely stretch of beach is not the issue. What is in question is whether more than one bike is being used to outdistance another or several bikes. Thanks for your input.

I actually find the question very odd. Whether anything is legal or not on Bali does not really matter. There are very few if any laws that are enforced systematically, from traffic to building and safety laws.

tintin

Love balibule's posting of this most informative edito. It should be required reading for all bule, and carried in one's passport at all times, as reminder of the most basic driving rule in Bali. Going back to the driving of a motorcycle on a Bali beach. From very early in my stays in Bali, I learned that there are NO surfaces where a bike is forbidden on the island. As long as it will somehow support the weight of the bike + driver + eventual passengers, it is "allowed." (please, note the quotation marks). Of course, it applies to all the Balinese (whom I found to be rather agile at handling their bikes), but also, from my own experience, to the bule2 (this may be not true in the tourists areas, such as Kuta, and maybe Sanur?)

balibule

Talking about legality and Indonesian laws, I found this fun to read. It's an intro about the International school issue but it could go with anything really; [COLOR=#b22222][FONT=Helvetica]In Indonesia, regulations appear to be issued with the sole purpose of creating confusion or making life difficult for well-meaning people and businesses, rather than providing legal clarity and understanding. They are arbitrary at best and harmful at worst. [/FONT] [FONT=Helvetica]Because many regulations are born out of the political and financial interests of the ruling elite, the strangest thing happens: those who craft them don’t understand what they have created, and even get confused as to why they have made such regulations, especially after a change of government. [/FONT] [FONT=Helvetica]Then, in implementing these regulations, officials have their own interpretations, which vary from one official to another, making it difficult for the society to comply because they see them as being far from serious.[/FONT][/COLOR] Editorial: Scrap New Rules for International Schools - The Jakarta Globe My point being, I don't think anyone knows exactly whether riding on the beach is legal and if you'd ask two government officials, policeman or whoever you'll probably end up with two different answers.

mugwump

Smoke wroteis the expat racing or are locals racing ?

Good point. For the expat it would be a life sentence.

Smoke

mugwump wroteGood point. For the expat it would be a life sentence.

I think only if they won the race ? now maybe if they lost and paid the winner possibly only some "expensive coffee" money :icon_wink: