I was in complete shock when I arrived into town. It is very clear, that the infrastructure of this once quaint village, has in no way kept up with the growing population and popularity of this part of Bali. Walking the streets & being safe in Ubud is a real challenge and not one I enjoy at all.
Streets
I have to assume most of these streets are old. They are very narrow, barely enough for two vehicles to pass each other. In years past, the traffic pattern was changed, and many of these central streets have been turned into one-way only.
While it is said that this helps with the flow of traffic, drivers tell me it only makes getting where they need to be, so much longer and frustrating.
The streets that are wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other, also have small ‘sidewalks’ in many circumstances.
Sidewalks
I am using this term loosely here. While yes this is a sidewalk, it is not at all passable by anyone with disabilities. Frequently there are large holes in the sidewalk, peering down, one seems to be looking into the abyss.
The sidewalks are broken, chipped, uneven, covered in piles of garbage, construction materials, dog poop and parked motorcycles. A pedestrian is constantly having to walk in the road, because of the sidewalk is blocked or unpassable.
Yes, that same road, that is chock full of cars, trucks and thousands of motorcycles. You are now walking in that because you can’t be on the sidewalk.
Being Hit
Which is how, on my second day in Ubud, I was hit by a motorcycle. A local woman on a bike, crashed into my left side and arm, smashing my beaded bracelets apart. As I watched the beads scatter over the dirty pavement, I was in shock.
I stopped, she stopped, she looked at me, parked her bike, then went to buy the chicken she was after from the road side stand. Not one word or look of concern.
I headed straight back for home. Scared, nervous and feeling so incredibly unsafe.
Motorcycles
There are thousands, and they have the ability to weave in and out of traffic, but in doing so, they use the sidewalk and any extra space they think they can squeeze into. If you are in that space, you will suffer, not the bike.
Most of the tourists seem to ride their bikes on the road, but the locals are just so fed up with the traffic, how long it is taking them to go about their daily tasks, that they will take any space available to maneuver and move forward more quickly.
Parking
Other than the sidewalks, there is none, good luck.
Safety
It is really abysmal here. I am a walker, I love to walk, its my jam! This is how I travel, how I explore, how I get regular exercise. It makes me feel free. I have none of those things in Ubud.
There is no exploring in town, one cannot afford to look up. As a pedestrian, you have to remain so focused on the task at hand, not tripping, not stepping in dog shit, not walking on an offering, not falling into they abyss, not being hit by cars and bikes. It is exhausting, and relentless.
I know this is all a result of over-tourism. Infrastructure was never made a priority here and now the situation is dire. If I had even an inkling it would be this bad? I never would have come. I am a tourist; I am making the situation worse. I won’t be back.
