A foreign tourist sustained injuries to his right leg after falling into a damaged section of sidewalk in Kedewatan, Ubud, on Sunday, 29 June 2025.
The incident occurred on Jalan Kedewatan and was widely circulated on social media after a local resident uploaded a video documenting the aftermath.
In the footage, the tourist is seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue trousers and shoes, lying on the pavement near a large hole. The man appears with visible injuries to his leg.
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“Tourists fell on the sidewalk, poor thing, on Jalan Kedewatan. How can Bali tourism advance if the sidewalks are like this?” said the man who is believed to have uploaded the video.
The case has sparked public criticism, highlighting concerns over pedestrian safety in Bali’s popular tourist areas.
Residents and business owners in Ubud have long raised concerns about the poor condition of sidewalks, particularly in central areas frequently used by visitors. Many tourists reportedly walk cautiously, focusing on the ground out of fear of falling.
Local Authorities Respond to Infrastructure Concerns
In response to the incident, the Gianyar Regency’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (Dinas PUPR) deployed a Rapid Reaction Team (TRC) to conduct temporary safety measures at the site.
In a written statement, the agency clarified that while they could provide immediate repairs, the long-term maintenance of the sidewalks in the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Bali Provincial Government.
“The sidewalk is the province’s authority. We asked our TRC team to check and handle it temporarily for safety, and we will immediately write to the province regarding its authority and repair,” the Gianyar PUPR office stated, as quoted by Denpost.
The issue of sidewalk safety is not new. Similar incidents have occurred previously in the Ubud area, which serves as the heart of tourism in Gianyar Regency.
Public complaints regarding pedestrian infrastructure have been voiced repeatedly, particularly on social media platforms.
Previous Incidents and Official Remarks
The case in Ubud follows another widely publicised incident in 2024, when a student from SDN 1 Subagan, Karangasem, fell into a pothole on a sidewalk along Jalan Ahmad Yani. The student, Gede Yoga Artha, sustained minor injuries, including abrasions and a headache.
“He only suffered abrasions and a slight bump on the head. But his condition is healthy and today he can go to school as usual,” said I Ketut Muliarta, Principal of SDN 1 Subagan, on 25 July 2024.
Muliarta also warned students to remain vigilant when walking home, noting that residents have frequently reported accidents caused by the same pothole. “This is the first time for students. But residents have often fallen there due to the potholes,” he added.
Meanwhile, on May 2025, Gianyar Regent Made Mahayastra responded to the matters regarding Bali’s sidewalk. He clarified that road and sidewalk maintenance in the Ubud area is a provincial responsibility and pointed to financial constraints over the past several years.
“It is only natural that people complain about damaged roads because, since 2020, we have had no repairs due to Covid. In 2021, we still continued, only to pay electricity and teacher professional allowances, and we rotated the budget. In 2022, the economy began to recover, and 2023 was my last year, and the road infrastructure budget was also small,” he explained, as reported by WartaBali.
Mahayastra further noted that only 61% of provincial roads in Gianyar are categorised as being in good condition, making them the lowest-ranked in Bali. “Other regencies are in good condition, with the lowest at 81%, we are the worst provincial road and that is what is seen by the public,” he said.
Despite these limitations, he stated that Gianyar remains committed to coordinating with the provincial government on infrastructure concerns.
