Bali tourist slammed for dangerous act while riding on the back of a motorbike

A tourist in Bali has been blasted for behaving dangerously on the back of a motorcycle.

In a video posted to social media, a woman can be seen riding as a passenger on a motorbike while carrying a large suitcase and drinking.  

The bike travels along a busy street while the woman, dressed in a black bandeau top, casually sips on a bottle.

Bali locals and foreigners took to social media to criticise the tourist for acting recklessly and not paying to get other transport.

'Very silly catch proper transport it's not costly,' one comment read. 

'Cheapskate bule. Risky situation to others,' another said, using the label Indonesians give to foreigners.

Others pointed out the dangers of failing to wear a helmet while riding a motorbike as well as having so much skin exposed. 

'Despite the many warnings and examples of why you shouldn't do this, it's the first thing people do. Good luck in Bali hospital,' one warned.

Some however said they didn't believe the woman should be judged so harshly.

'Nothing to see here. They're riding as slow and safely as it gets,' one said. 

'She's done this before, and this is nothing compared to dealing with how a lot of locals ride. Just another day in Bali.' 

'She's having the time of her life. Being young and carefree. Enjoy every moment and building memories,' another commented.

In March, Bali governor Wayan Koster announced a new ban on foreign travellers, declaring they would no longer being able to rent a motorbike and instead would need to hire a car from a travel agency or tourism service.

However, Indonesia's Deputy Tourism Minister, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said on a trip to Melbourne in October that there was no strict ban, but rather tightened rules being enforced, making it more difficult for Aussies to rent a motorbike on the island.

'If you ride a motorbike, just as in Australia, you should have a helmet and a license for your safety as well as that of other motorists,' Ms Marthini told news.com.au. 

'The laws have always existed, but we [are] just proceeding to push the enforcement of these laws.'

Ms Marthini said the move was for the safety of tourists as well as for the local community. 

'The laws do not ban tourists from renting scooters, only from renting them from unauthorised rental operators,' she said. 

Last week, AKP Bachtiar Arifin, head of traffic unit for Buleleng Police, told reporters that changes were necessary following three separate deaths in the region. 

'What is clear is that we will carry out outreach to rental services and hotels, including limiting and selectively using motorbikes, especially foreign nationals,' he said, according to The Bali Sun.

The news outlet also reported that hotels providing motorbike rental services would now be required to take preventative action, including having locals accompany foreigners on bikes.   

Mr Arifin said authorities would 'increase patrols in places where there are many foreigners' and 'carry out law enforcement' if visitors are found to be breaking traffic laws.