7 deadly sins of motorcyclists

If in Jakarta everybody have love-hate relationship with bajaj (three-wheeled vehicle), in Bali it definitely be motorcycles. They are absolute notorious for reckless and selfish driving. Yeah, ok not ALL of them, but most of them are just like that. It’s pretty hopeless, especially when you’ve done your best keeping a safe distant and sparing others’ lives, they seem to be carefree and have 9 spare lives.

If in Jakarta people rush around to be on time for work, for a meeting, for a date, people here (ok, most people) are notorious for taking their sweet little time. So what’s the rush??

Here are some notorious habits of Balinese motorcyclists (if not every motorcyclist) do, jeopardizing not only their own lives, but also others. You notice other points? Feel free to add them! ;)

7. FUNNY SITTING POSITIONS
Completely understood when people try to sit as comfortable as they can to endure long rides. I’ve seen women whose legs meet in the knees, then guys who seem they’re slouching on their bikes, either to the right or to the left, but the most funny position would be guys (yep, I found most guys sit funny on motor bikes) who spread their legs that literally used half of the road. It’s just so annoying to see how a motor bike could take up such space. They should start watch their legs before car pass them too close and would rub their leg. I guarantee it won’t be a fun rub.

6. PEP TALK
If you want to ride, just ride. If you want to say hello to a friend and catch up recent gossip, stop by at the nearest coffee shop and let other people pass.

5. JOYRIDE
Perhaps they think swaying is the new cool. Swaying from one side to another, passing cars and other slower motors. As reckless as they are, most of the time they just sway, without bother watching other faster vehicles also trying to pass. Safest would let them race as far away from your vehicle.

4. OVERSIZED/OVERLOADED BAGGAGE
The worse driver would go to people who insisted on taking large home appliance (such as telly, CPU), also furniture on a motor bike. Yep, it’s daily view in here. You could transport a big mattress on a motor bike, gypsum board 1 m wide (which isn’t really a lot, but definitely makes you nervous when you try to pass it). I also have seen people loading rather big chair. What’s next, bath tub?

3. BUSY BODIES
If there’s an award for the bravest motorcyclist, I’d vote for ever-busy Balinese women on their motor bikes. I’ve seen a woman who had one hand holding a large bundle (almost the size of her body) of godknowswhat up above her head and another on the steering. I think those Balinese women surely have an unbelievable sense of balance, the way they manage to hold heavy and large stuff (from household supply to offerings) on their heads and drive away. Transporting large objects is already a potential danger, holding it with your hand only ensure the accident.

2. 3 IN 1
An older guy stopped in a sidewalk and tried to load 2 small girls on his bike, one of which I suspected as his daughter and the other is her friend. Obviously it was hard enough to cram the 3 of them into the bike, then the girls were wearing kain (long tight skirt). He told them to lift up their skirts and just waited there until they figured out how to get on.

1. NO HELMET
I’ve seen too many of them!! Even in a busy street where I live (Jl. A. Yani). I don’t know how people can be so ignorant, even for their own safety. You don’t expect any bikers to provide helmets for their kids if for themselves they’re care less. Well, they should’ve known better, including if anything (God forbid) happen, they’re at wrong.