Rent a Scooter in Bali with Kids: The Ultimate Guide for Parents (by a parent living in Bali!)

The first time we took our daughter to Bali was in 2023, when she was only 3 years old. When it was just my wife and I in Bali, we always rented a scooter. However, with her now in the mix, we hesitated, concerned about her safety.

Nevertheless, anyone in Bali will tell you that a scooter is one of the most fun and efficient ways to get around. Anyone who tells you it’s dangerous isn’t lying! But if you plan to live here, you have to adapt.

We’re no strangers to Bali, coming here since 2010, we’re more than comfortable with the maze-like roads, high speeds, and hectic traffic.

Now that we live in Bali, getting through the day on a scooter is the only way.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about driving a scooter in Bali with your kids.

First, if you’re asking yourself…

Should I rent a scooter in Bali with my kids?

The answer is … “It depends”.

Keep it simple. If you’re coming to Bali for the first time on vacation and have no scooter experience, stick to cars, hire a private driver for the day, or use GrabCar. Bali roads are nowhere to learn to ride a scooter, especially with your family. 

If you’re planning a long-term stay or want to live in Bali, renting (or buying) a scooter becomes essential. It’s how you’ll get through your day. But you should have prior experience and, most importantly, confidence on Bali’s roads.  

So, is it Safe to rent a scooter in Bali with kids?

Most people will say, “No, most definitely not!” And I’ll admit, it’s not the safest; you’re trading your SUV and high-end car seat for a two-wheeler with no seat belts. 

It all comes down to the driver’s experience, comfort in balancing the bike and confidence in navigating Bali’s streets with two adults and one kid.

The location also matters. You deal with tourist traffic and speed demons if you’re in Canggu or Ubud. So, not only does your riding ability matter, but also being very aware of the other drivers. In contrast, if you’re in a place like Seseh, which is underdeveloped and more relaxed, it will be much easier to ride.

You might feel tempted to drive more recklessly because it’s common and sometimes needed in Bali’s busy streets. After all, the scooter is your means of cutting through the traffic. That might mean navigating narrow sidewalks lined with wobbly bricks or squeezing between cars, even when they’re heading in opposite directions.

Remember, you have precious cargo aboard, so only do what you’re comfortable with.

I’m not here for fear-mongering (you’ll find those comments in the Bali subreddit). 

I’m on the scooter daily with my daughter sitting in front of me. 

I don’t have a motorcycle license back in Canada. 

However, I’ve been driving scooters in Bali since 2010 and all over Southeast Asia, including chaotic Ho Chi Minh City.

And that’s why, even though I agree it’s not the safest, getting around Bali on a scooter with my daughter is my chosen way. When you live in a different country, you need to adapt.

Be careful. Trust your experience and embrace the local way of life.

Things to consider before riding a scooter in Bali with your family

The following pointers are for people planning to stay or live in Bali for extended periods.

Is your kid ready?

Every child is unique, just as every parent knows.

While one 4-year-old confidently swims in the pool without floaties, another child aged 10 may still be learning to doggy paddle.

You know your child best and what they are capable of. You’ll be fine if they can follow your directions and remain attentive. However, if your child tends to have temper tantrums or can’t sit still without an iPad, particularly during longer rides, it’s essential to consider that possibility.

My daughter started riding the scooter with us at 3 years old and loves it. 

Get your kid a good helmet, preferably full-face.

You can buy helmets on almost any major road in Bali (not all rental shops have kids’ helmets available). There will be what seems like nameless shops all around, all selling the same line of Indonesian brand helmets, such as KYT, INK, and NHK. 

When it comes to kids’ motorbike helmets, many options in local shops are typically branded as CarKidss. I’m unsure if these helmets are a legit product of CarGloss or just another knock-off product, but it’s what you’ll find. When we first moved here, we bought one for our daughter for 60,000 Rp.

After 2 weeks, the straps were already fraying and coming apart. 

The low price and quality, plus the fact that I can’t find any CarKidss helmets on the official Cargloss website, Instagram, or Shoppee page, make me lean towards knock-offs.

Moreover, finding full-face helmets for kids in these shops is challenging, and most do not seem to have DOT certification. Instead, they adhere to Indonesia’s own certification, SNI (Standard Nasional Indonesia), which ensures the helmet meets local safety standards.

Ultimately, we decided to order a new full-face helmet from the Scott brand on Shopee, and it has been holding up well so far.

Picking the right family-sized scooter.

The most popular type of scooter you’ll see families riding around on is the Yamaha Nmax 155 cc. Here’s why:

• A comfortable, smooth ride.
• Powerful engine, yet fuel-efficient
• Safety features like ABS (anti-lock braking system) add an extra layer of protection.
• Plenty of storage space is under the seat and in the handlebars console.
• It’s known for being reliable and dependable.
• Plus, it’s affordable at just 1.8M IDR per 30 days.

But what about other options? Well, when it comes to family rides, here’s what you need to know:

• Yamaha Xmax 250cc: wider frame, more comfort, and more power.
• Honda PCX 160cc: lower-to-the-ground design enhances stability and accessibility, making it a comfortable and safe option for family rides.
• Honda Vario 160cc: While it may be suitable for older kids, it might feel too tight for a family ride.

And if you’re wondering about our personal experience, here’s a quick rundown:

We always went for the Vario when renting a bike in Bali without our daughter. But when we started riding with our 3-year-old, we found it a bit too small and uncomfortable for all three of us. The Nmax, on the other hand, has been a game-changer. It’s spacious, smooth, and the right size for our family rides.

As for what to avoid, steer clear of the Vespa and Honda Scoopy for family rides. They might not offer the space and comfort you need when travelling with little ones.

Decide where your kid will sit – front or middle?

When we first started riding around, our daughter always sat between us. It felt safe.

However, Claudia wouldn’t be there for every scooter trip, so I had to get comfortable with our daughter sitting in front. And she had to get used to it. The last thing you want is a restless, fidgety toddler distracting you from the road.

We’ve been using the Yamaha Nmax 155 and the Honda PCX 160, which has a section between the handles and the front of the seat where she can sit. It’s where you put the gasoline and, technically, not a seat—it’s more like a kid VIP area above the fuel tank (though I can’t help but raise an eyebrow when typing that out).

Here’s a an example of us riding the PCX.

When she sits there, it is pretty easy to balance and stay in complete control of the bike; however, there are a few issues:

• when she’s sitting so low, sometimes her helmet blocks the handlebar from making sharp turns
• sitting so low means she’s right in the direct flow of all the exhaust fumes
• it’s also plastic and not comfortable for long rides

To solve these issues, we ordered a makeshift seat from Tokopedia for 35,000 IDR. It’s a piece of wood covered in padded pleather, shaped to fit over the fuel tank hump. It’s simple and does the job for now, but as a Dad, I can always do more to ensure she’s safer. Check it out here:

So, even though I’m not exactly worried when we’re cruising with her on this makeshift seat, I’m pretty sure there’s something out there that’s way safer.

Here’s something that looks more solid and sturdy. 

Get started with a few practice runs.

• Practice runs help your child familiarize with the scooter’s movements and boost their confidence as a passenger.
• Begin in a quiet area away from traffic with your helmets on.
• Practice simple activities like getting on and off the scooter, adjusting how they sit, and figuring out the best way for them to hold on.
• Gradually introduce basic maneuvers like starting, stopping, and leaning into turns.

My daughter and I practiced up and down the quiet alleyway near our villa. It took only a short time until we were on the roads. It may sound like overkill typing all this obvious stuff out, but I want to reiterate that the warm-up helps.

I’m not going to tell you to get familiar with the local traffic rules because you should have checked all those boxes before jumping on the bike with your child. Remember, it’s all about your confidence as a parent.

Do you know your way around?

If you’re unfamiliar with Bali’s main streets, consider getting a phone holder for Google Maps navigation until you build up familiarity.

It’s one less thing to worry about while riding with your family.

You might hear stories about thieves snatching phones from holders as they drive by, especially in Seminyak, Canggu, and Kuta.

I’ve been riding scooters in Bali since 2010 and have yet to witness this. While it’s not the easiest way to steal a phone, it has happened to some tourists, so stay alert.

In your first month in Bali, having a phone holder for navigation outweighs the rare risk of phone theft. As you become more familiar with your area, you’ll rely less on Google Maps.

Where are you going? 

Long ride (30 minutes or more) – Car

We’ll jump in a car for longer rides, like Seminyak to Uluwatu, which averages 45 minutes to an hour. 

There are two main reasons we’ll avoid long rides on the scooter with our daughter:

1. The heat. 
   1. Sometimes, it’s just too hot for a toddler.
2. She might fall asleep. 
   1. It’s happened plenty of times, and I’m always amazed at how peaceful and sound she can be when sleeping on the motorbike, but I prefer to avoid it. 

Short ride (less than 30 minutes) – Scooter

For shorter 20 minute-rides, we’ll always take the scooter. Going into Canggu can be a nightmare because of the traffic, but on the scooter, it’s much faster, and we can even do a bit of cheeky riding to bypass the jams.

The longest ride we’ve done with our 3-year-old was probably Canggu to the Australian Consulate, which took about 30 minutes. That’s pretty much the same time as Seminyak to Nusa Dua via the toll highway.

Where to Rent Your Bali Family-scooter and What To expect

Here are a few family-oriented questions to consider when choosing a scooter rental vendor:

• Do they provide a kid’s helmet?
• Do they have the most popular family-sized bike (Nmax) available?
• Is the Nmax cost for 30 days reasonable?
• Do they offer insurance for theft and damage, and at what cost?
• Do they provide delivery and pickup services?

Renting a scooter in Bali is easy. You’ll find vendors everywhere.

Streetside vendors:

• Cheapest option
• Bike quality varies, but they get you from A to B
• Usually, they don’t provide:
  • new or sanitized helmets
  • free delivery and pickup
  • theft/damage insurance

Small business operator

We rented our red Yahama Nmax 155 from Putu Pidriana, who manages Bali Choice Scooter. 

He gives us a fantastic 30-day rate for an Nmax that I haven’t seen offered anywhere else. He also keeps the bikes in great shape and even tunes them upon request.

Hit him up on Instagram or WhatsApp.

Large rental company

An established rental company like Bikago is a wise choice for first-timers.

• smooth experience, everything done by the books
• the most expensive option, but you’ll get a well-maintained bike and the highest level of service
• if you haven’t bought your helmets yet, they can provide a kid’s helmet

Some places will rent you a bike without an International Driver’s License. However, you won’t find that leeway at a larger rental company like Bikago. It’s all over their website that you need an IDP. They even made sure I was aware of the IDP requirements during my chat with them on Instagram.

You can get an IDP online in just 8 minutes here.

Very Important. Remember to Get insurance.

It’s a must if you stay long-term in Bali, mainly because you’ll be zipping around on a scooter with your family.

GoFundMe has tons of scooter accident pledges seeking donations to cover medical bills.

We’ve been using SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance since November 2023 and have already had to file a couple of claims, so it’s definitely worth it.

SafetyWing also covers scooter accidents if your case meets its policy conditions:

• Be properly licensed for the area you are driving in
• Wear a helmet
• Not be intoxicated while driving
• Not be racing

If you get in an accident and it was determined you weren’t wearing a helmet, your insurance could be void.

Also, if your children are under 10, they will be included in the insurance without added costs. A maximum of 2 children per group will be free.

For short-term stays like ‘workcations’ the Nomad Insurance plan might be right for you.

If you’re planning to live in Bali and need full-fledged health insurance than Nomad Health is what you’re looking for.

Other Quick Tips for Getting Around on Your Scooter

Where to get Gas?

The best place to get gas is at the official Pertamina gas stations. And that’s because you’ll get more fuel for your Rupiahs. The worst part is that you’ll probably have to wait in a 5-min queue.

For the Yamaha Nmax you can fill her up for 40-80K RP.

For the Honda PCX you can fill her up for 80-100K RP.

If you’re new to Bali it’s a novelty to get your gas at the side of the road from Absolute Vodka fuel-filled bottles. In most cases, you’re going to pay a lot more than you really need to. I only use these when I need gas immediately.

Use Your Horn

Getting honked at in Bali is more of a courtesy to say “hey, I’m here” or “I’m coming up on your right to pass”.

Use it for those purposes. Not to express your anger at terrible drivers.

Surprisingly you won’t find much road rage in Bali. Everyone’s in a rush, but people find their way through the narrow streets and traffic jams calmy (usually).

Keep an Eye out for Dogs and Pot Holes

Dogs love to chill on the road, literally. They could care less if you’re approaching. They will slowly get out of the way, barely. This is a good time to use your horn to chase them off the road.

Pot holes can appear as if they come out of nowhere, especially at night. And especially, if you’re driving in new territory.

You’ll become more aware of them as you drive the same roads over and over. Luckily the roads do get repaired – it’s definitely not often. But you’ll notice over time, that a pot hole you’ve become accustomed to will get filled in.

And Finally, After Skimming Through Everything

If you’re still not confident with the scooter, there are other safe ways of getting around Bali with your family. It’s just that if you’re planning to live in Bali I feel it’s necessary to adapt to the scooter life.