Police clamp down on road racers

DENPASAR, Bali: Police are clamping down on motorbikers who routinely use the Renon subdistrict for a race arena.

Chief of the Nusra Police traffic division Col. Ngusman Fuady said his office is also investigating allegations that a gambling syndicate has turned the races into a money spinning machine by organizing bets, Antara reported.

"We have detained some of the racers and their bikes," he told reporters. "We've even called their parents," he said, pointing out that the majority of the youths are high school students.

Ngusman said the race is not only bothering residents in the area but also endangering people's lives, not to mention their own lives since most never wear helmets.

He said the police have also contacted the local chapter of the Indonesian Motor Association about the possibility of them building a race arena for Bali's speed freaks. (emb)