Denpasar to ban e-bikes at Sanur Beach Pedestrian Area despite objections from rental businesses

The Denpasar City Administration announced over the weekend that e-bikes will be banned at the Sanur Beach Pedestrian Area as of this Saturday in its bid to make the iconic tourism spot more tourist-friendly despite complaints from rental businesses.

Denpasar Tourism Agency Head Dezire Mulyani said that, as of April 1, e-bikes will only be allowed to enter Danau Tamblingan Street, a commercial stretch that runs parallel to Sanur Beach, but not on the beach path itself.

“The pedestrian area will be designated for pedestrians and regular bicycles,” she said in a press conference on Sunday.

Speaking at the same event, Intaran Village Chief AA Alit Kencana welcomed the new policy, citing numerous complaints from tourists – including those who stay at guest houses – about e-bikes.

“We are a tourist area. Many guests who want to come and just relax and enjoy Sanur [said that they] often are honked at by e-bike users. There are also complaints about their speed,” he said, adding that there have also been e-bike-related accidents in the area.

Made Purnabawa, who runs an e-bikes rental shop near Sindhu Beach, said that he disagreed with the new policy as there is no sensible alternative for those who want to use the environmentally friendly vehicles.

“E-bikes do not have vehicle registration plates,” he said, pointing out that it makes no sense for e-bikes to hit the main road.

In addition, redirecting e-bikes to Danau Tamblingan Street would only make people less interested in renting the electric vehicles as they can take their own motorbikes instead.

“Why would they park their motorbikes and then rent e-bikes?” he said.