From Fear to Freedom: Learning to Embrace Bali Life on Two Wheels

May 25, 2025

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d one day be (almost) confidently riding a motorbike through the streets of Bali with my kids on the back—I probably would’ve laughed. Nervously. It took me four months of living here to even consider it. I walked everywhere at first, or jumped in a car when we needed to go further. The bikes just felt... wild. Unpredictable. A little scary, if I’m honest. But slowly, I started watching. Noticing how locals move so gracefully through traffic. How families make it work. How life here flows on two wheels. So one day, I gave it a go. Then another day. Then one more. And now? It feels like freedom. The wind in your face, the backstreets, the way the kids giggle and point things out—it’s not just transport, it’s living like a local. It's being part of the rhythm of Bali. Would I recommend it for a short holiday trip? Probably not. It takes time to understand the roads, the etiquette, the energy of the traffic here. But for us, with time, with care, and with plenty of caution—it’s become part of our everyday life. Trying new things isn’t always instant. Sometimes it takes a few months. Sometimes you have to sit with the fear a bit, watch, learn, and then step forward. And honestly? I’m proud I did. I’m proud I get to show our kids what it means to grow, to try, to be open—even when it feels uncomfortable at first. #TryNewThings #BaliWithKids #LivingAbroadWithKids #MotorbikeLife #BaliMoments #ChadAndMiaOfficial #BaliFamilyFinds #LifeInBali #ExpatsInBali #BaliByBike #GrowthMoments #BaliDailyLife

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be riding a motorbike through the streets of Bali—with my kids giggling on the back—I would’ve laughed. Nervously. At the time, it felt impossible. The traffic looked chaotic, the roads unpredictable. Motorbikes seemed like something best left to the locals. For the first few months after moving to Bali, I walked. Everywhere. Or we took cars, clinging to what felt familiar. But Bali doesn’t move at car speed. The real rhythm of life here flows on two wheels. I started watching—how smoothly locals weaved between traffic, how calm it all seemed beneath the surface. Families with toddlers, stacks of groceries, full lives—all balanced on bikes with surprising grace. Eventually, I tried. Tentatively at first. Short distances. No kids. Then longer rides. With helmets, practice, and a lot of double-checking mirrors and road signs. Now, it’s part of our life. Riding through backstreets, the wind in our faces, my kids pointing out rice paddies and temples along the way—it’s more than getting from A to B. It’s being part of Bali, not just living near it. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not something I’d suggest for a short trip. But with time and respect for the roads, it becomes second nature. More importantly, it became a powerful lesson for our kids—about courage, growth, and the beauty of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. And for me? It’s a reminder that freedom often sits on the other side of fear. #TryNewThings #BaliWithKids #LivingAbroadWithKids #MotorbikeLife #BaliMoments #ChadAndMiaOfficial #BaliFamilyFinds #LifeInBali #ExpatsInBali #BaliByBike #GrowthMoments #BaliDailyLife

#TryNewThings#BaliWithKids#LivingAbroadWithKids#MotorbikeLife#BaliMoments#ChadAndMiaOfficial#BaliFamilyFinds#LifeInBali#ExpatsInBali#BaliByBike#GrowthMoments#BaliDailyLife