Denpasar Tops Indonesia in Motorbike Ownership, Relevant for Tourists Exploring Bali
According to 2025 data from Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 97.37% of households in Denpasar own a motorbike, the highest rate in the country, well above the national average of 84%. The figure underscores how deeply motorbikes are embedded in daily life in Bali and is relevant for tourists who commonly rent motorbikes to get around the island.
According to an infographic compiled by GoodStats citing data from Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 97.37% of households in Denpasar own a motorbike as of 2025 — the highest percentage among cities in Indonesia. This places Denpasar ahead of Pangkalpinang (96.60%) and Bontang (95.98%), which rank second and third respectively.
Nationally, 84% of households owned a motorbike in 2025, meaning Denpasar's ownership rate is 13.37 percentage points higher than the national average.
In Bali, motorbikes are a common sight from main roads to narrow alleys, forming an integral part of daily life for local residents. For tourists, motorbikes are also a familiar way to explore the island, offering flexibility to set their own routes and stop wherever they like along the way. Many trips to various tourist areas across Bali begin from Denpasar.
However, the 97.37% figure represents household-level ownership, not the percentage of individual residents who own a motorbike. The data also does not indicate how many motorbikes each household owns, how frequently they are used, or details about road conditions and traffic density. The figure is best understood as an illustration of how deeply motorbikes are woven into the daily lives of people in Denpasar.
Things to Consider
If renting a motorbike in Bali, carry a valid international driving permit recognized in Indonesia, as riding without one risks traffic violations and voided insurance coverage. Always wear a helmet and ride at a reduced speed on busy roads in Denpasar and major thoroughfares. First-time riders should practice in quieter areas or during low-traffic hours before attempting longer routes across the island.
Source: detikcom