Many foreign tourists rent motorbikes to explore Bali, even if they are not skilled riders. This often leads to accidents, such as the recent incident on March 2, 2025, when a Russian tourist lost control of his rented motorbike in Bali and plunged into the sea at Banjar Nyuh Harbor, Nusa Penida District.
According to a report from RadarBali, Klungkung Police Public Relations officer AKP Agus Widiono explained that the tourist arrived in Nusa Penida with a friend and decided to rent a motorbike for their trip. However, during a test ride, the tourist lost control of the throttle and accidentally accelerated into the sea.
Fortunately, local residents who witnessed the accident immediately helped the tourist. “The tourist did not suffer any injuries and, after being rescued, continued his journey with his friend,” said AKP Agus Widiono.
Authorities Urge Rental Companies to Prioritize Safety
Due to the frequent accidents involving foreign tourists on rented motorbike in Bali, the Nusa Penida Police Binmas Unit has urged rental owners to be more responsible.
“Don’t just ignore safety because of money,” emphasized Binmas Unit Chief Iptu I Wayan Sukadana.
He stressed that rental services must prioritize security, safety, and traffic regulations to prevent further accidents. “Lately, there have been many traffic violations and accidents involving foreign nationals using rental vehicles,” he added.
According to Iptu Sukadana, one of the main causes of these accidents is the lack of understanding of Bali’s traffic laws by foreign tourists.
Past Incident: Russian YouTuber Intentionally Drives Bike into the Ocean
This is not the first time Russian tourists have been involved in motorcycle-related incidents in Bali. In December 2020, a pair of Russian tourists, Sergey Kyosenko and Alina Oshutinskaya, caused an uproar when they intentionally rode a motorbike into the sea at Tanah Anpo Port, Karangasem for a YouTube video.
Instead of stopping at the shore, they drove straight into the water, laughing as their motorcycle sank. The reckless stunt sparked criticism from the public for being dangerous and environmentally irresponsible.
As a consequence, Sergey was deported on January 24, 2021, flying from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Dubai before returning to Russia. His companion, Alina, was not deported. “I was only invited to be in the video. I didn’t know it would turn out like this. I apologize,” she stated.