Main Factors for getting in trouble with a scooter

Adapting to the Traffic Conditions

The traffic itself is a challenge. It’s different to what most people are used to at home, so it can be confusing, overwhelming. Even though it looks as if there are no rules, there are indeed rules that everybody in a way knows and plays along with.

Overestimating yourself and your skills

Accidents with scooters and motorbikes happen very often. Most accidents with tourists happen because they overestimate themselves and their driving skills. Driving too fast! It’s very easy, even for beginners getting used to two motorised wheels, to drive fast, but to control a difficult situation, to break hard or to take narrow curve is something that needs practice. 

Stupidity, drinking (and drugs)

It can be tempting to drink a few Bintang beers, and drive back home on your scooter in the middle of the night and save on the taxi fee. But you would not be the first one who would leave Bali in a wooden box because a dog crossed your way in the darkness, a truck appeared without lights, or a hole in the street was the last thing you remember when waking up in the hospital.

Anything can happen – anytime. And Anything will happen, if you drive around long enough

Anybody can and does enter a main road at any time without looking. Here one of the main rules applies: Whatever you can see in front of you is your responsibility. So a motorbike driver cutting into your main road believes that you will notice him and that you would make space or slow down. If you want to overtake somebody you MUST use your horn, so they know you are coming; otherwise, they might move right or left unexpectedly. Also here, the unwritten rule applies, that you need to notice and adapt to what is or appears in front of you.

Many speed bumps are placed on villages or neighbourhood area, and they could be improperly built (too wide and too high). Always ride max 20km/ hour when you are entering this area.

Rather drive too slowly than too fast.

Road Conditions

Construction trucks deliver sand, stones, building material to building sites. More often than not, this load will be dumped on the roadside. Nobody is offended and navigates around this pile because this is how things are here. At best, they put a stick or tree branch in it to warn you. Something very difficult to see, when it’s dark.

Small stones,loose chippings sand and if so rain creates a surface where your tire loses grip easily. Particularly when the street is wet, or in curves.