"Electric Kickboards Must Use Bicycle Lanes" Call for Legal Amendment

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Personal mobility companies have urged the urgent legalization of electric kickboards.

The Personal Mobility Industry Council (SPMA) under the Korea Startup Forum demanded the passage of the Road Traffic Act amendment allowing electric kickboards to use bicycle lanes at a press conference held on the 17th at Dreamplus in Seocho-dong, Seoul.

Currently, the 11 SPMA member companies operate 17,130 electric kickboards in Seoul and major local governments, but the current laws regulating them are insufficient. Under current law, electric kickboards are classified as motorized bicycles and, in principle, must travel on the road and are prohibited from riding on bicycle lanes and sidewalks. However, since their maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h, riding on the road actually causes inconvenience to other road users.

At present, the National Assembly is considering the "Road Traffic Act Amendment" proposed by Representative Yoon Jae-ok of the Liberty Korea Party. The bill aims to newly define personal mobility devices, including electric kickboards, among motorized bicycles and allow them to use bicycle lanes.

Jung Mina, policy team leader of the Korea Startup Forum, said at the conference, "The current system forces citizens to commit illegal acts," adding, "The amendment to the Road Traffic Act is not an issue that the National Assembly can delay any longer and must be passed quickly."

Kim Hyung-san, CEO of The Swing, also pointed out, "The reality is that some local governments do not even recognize electric kickboards as 'vehicles.' In some district offices, they are considered motorized vehicles, while in others, they are regarded as obstacles," emphasizing, "Such distinctions are not even made."