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The Indonesian island of Bali has banned tourists from renting motorbikes in a new effort to curb antisocial behaviour. The move follows a string of traffic violations by foreigners, including drunk driving, speeding, and using fake license plates. 

  • Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes to curb antisocial behaviour and traffic offences by foreigners.
  • Visitors will be encouraged to rent cars instead of motorbikes, which are popular among tourists.
  • Tourism is a vital part of Bali’s economy, but locals are increasingly frustrated with tourist hooliganism and unruly behaviour.

The new rules aim to encourage visitors to rent cars instead of motorbikes, which are popular among tourists and easily navigable on the country’s winding roads. 

Governor I Wayan Koster said tourists should “act as tourists,” use vehicles provided by travel agents, and abide by traffic rules.

Tourism is a vital part of Bali’s economy, with the sector contributing about 60% of the island’s annual GDP. However, many locals have grown increasingly frustrated with tourist hooliganism and unruly behaviour, with some blaming tourists for the high number of road accidents that occurred in 2020, causing 405 fatalities.

Although travel has rebounded after international travel restrictions were lifted, Bali’s businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The ban on renting motorbikes is expected to be implemented later this year, but the government has not yet revealed how it will be enforced. 

Not all locals and tourists are pleased with the new rules, with some arguing that specific violations should be targeted instead of imposing a blanket ban. 

One Twitter user said they would not be returning to Bali if motorbikes were banned. However, the government believes the move is necessary to tidy up the island and curb antisocial behaviour, which has been made more visible by the pandemic-induced lull in tourism.

Nigeria’s government is considering imposing a ban on the sale and use of motorcycles across the nation.

  • The ban is part of an effort to hamper terrorist group movement in the country.
  • Motorcycles is the primary mode of transportation for bandits in Nigeria. 

In an unusual development, the government’s ban on motorcycles is an effort to stop terror attacks.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, motorcycles is currently the primary mode of transportation used by the terrorist group in the country. 

The banning would immediately hamper the group logistics.

“Placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists.

“This will be done in the national interest. We are Nigerians because Nigeria as a country exists and any issue that will translate into a threat to national security or the corporate existence of the country requires certain sacrifices,” he said.

According to reports, members of the terrorist group known as ‘bandits’ mainly use motorcycles to carry out their activities, including killings and kidnapping. 

Just last week, Governor Bello Mattawale of Zamfara State announced a curfew for motorcycles in the town of Gusau. 

He also directed his security personnel to shoot on sight anyone caught riding a motorcycle between 8 pm to 6 am. 

While the nationwide ban is still under consideration, it would certainly have huge implications, especially for the majority of its population that depends on two-wheelers as a mode of transportation to go on their daily lives.

Nigeria is currently the world’s sixth most populated country, with an annual motorcycle sales figure of more than 500,000. 

Andrea Iannone wants to return to two-wheel racing after his doping ban ends in 2024.

  • Andrea Iannone’s doping ban will end in 16 months. 
  • Iannone wants to return to competitive racing after facing a four-year ban. 

The former MotoGP rider was handed a lengthy ban after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drug test at the Malaysian GP in 2019.

FIM gave Iannone an 18 month-ban before World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed that the sanction was too lenient and requested a four-year ban.

The Italian rider took the case to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) to fight the sanction. However, a successful countercase from WADA resulted in Iannone’s four-year ban. 

As a result, Iannone refrained from racing or testing until 16 December 2023.

Despite being sidelined since 2020, Iannone is ready to put himself in the market and hopes to secure a top-level seat for 2024.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 33-year-old is adamant about returning to the track once his ban is lifted.

“I’ll be back. I don’t know where, how and when, if in MotoGP or Superbike, but I guarantee it: I still can’t fill my life with things [other] than the bike or the speed.

“Dancing with the Stars was like a diversion and I’m spoiled for choice for everything that’s offered to me. If I get offers from TV it means that people are interested in me, but I guarantee you that I am focused on one thing: to get back to [riding]. And I will do it,” he said.

While his effort to get back to competitive riding is commendable, it seems unlikely that the former Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia rider to make the MotoGP list for 2024. 

The championship has changed drastically since the rider’s ban, and with every team vying for MotoGP’s glory, Iannone’s – who will turn 34 by 2024 – chance is slim. 

However, there is still a window of opportunity for Iannone at the WorldSBK, especially since more privateer options are available. 

That said, Iannone still needs to prove that he can still compete at the highest level.

After proper reconsideration, Switzerland has officially lifted the country’s 67-year ban on circuit racing.

  • Switzerland has banned motor racing since 1995 after a horrific crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
  • Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh and 84 spectators were killed, and 120 more people were injured during the incident.

However, due to the advancements in the safety of both vehicles and race tracks, Switzerland has decided it is the right time to welcome back circuit racing.

The National Council and the Council of States unanimously agreed to remove the racing prohibition after a recent modification of the Road Traffic Act.

Both houses voted to lift the prohibition hence overturning the 67-year ban.

The primary factor behind the overturning was that for the past 67 years, circuit and vehicle safety has improved dramatically and continues to improve.

Despite the good news, it might take a while before Switzerland could hold a world-class motor racing as no full-fledged racing facilities exist just yet.

For that reason, it may take a while before popular racing series such as the MotoGP and Formula 1, to include Switzerland in their calendar.

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