Electric Wheels, Electric Kickboards, Electric Bicycles, etc.
6 out of 10 Consumers Intend to Use Personal Mobility
"No Clear Safety Standards" Also Pointed Out
Experts Say "Government-Level System Improvement Needed"
[Asia Economy Reporter Suwan Kim] "It's safe if you wear protective gear," "It seems dangerous."
Recently, personal mobility devices powered by electricity, such as electric wheels, electric kickboards, and electric bicycles, have gained popularity among consumers. This is because they allow for comfortable movement. However, some point out that there are many problems due to the high risk of accidents and inadequate legal regulations, leading to ongoing controversy. While users claim that wearing protective equipment ensures safe use, others argue that the rapid spread of electric kickboards despite insufficient related laws is problematic.
Personal Mobility refers to personal transportation devices. It mainly means single-person transportation devices powered by electricity.
According to a survey conducted by market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor on the 1st, targeting 1,000 men and women aged 19 to 59 nationwide regarding perceptions of 'Personal Mobility,' the types of personal mobility devices most frequently seen recently were △electric kickboards (89.2%, multiple responses allowed) △self-balancing two-wheelers (52.8%) △electric wheels (48.4%).
In particular, 63.4% of all respondents answered that they intend to use personal mobility devices in the future.
As interest in personal mobility increases, conflicts have arisen among some citizens.
A 29-year-old office worker A, who identified as an electric wheel user, said, "I have a license and usually wear all kinds of protective gear such as helmets and knee pads," adding, "Those who violate this are at fault, not the people who use personal mobility devices."
College student B (23) said, "I occasionally use shared kickboards," and added, "I ride on the road, but since I have to keep the speed under 25 km/h, I can't go fast. Rather, I cause inconvenience to vehicles behind me, so I don't ride often. I try to be as careful as possible."
The problem is that both pedestrians and drivers face a high risk of accidents. On the 12th, a man in his 30s riding a shared electric kickboard in Busan was hit by a vehicle and died. It was confirmed that the deceased user C was unlicensed.
In 2018, a pedestrian died after colliding with an electric kickboard. The perpetrator was also found to be unlicensed for operating the electric kickboard.
Under domestic road traffic laws, electric kickboards, electric wheels, and other motorized devices with engine displacement under 50cc (or rated output under 0.59 kW, 590W for electric power) require a motorized bicycle license (obtainable from age 16) or a car license. Violations are subject to fines up to 300,000 KRW.
Additionally, wearing helmets and protective gear is mandatory when operating these devices, and riding on sidewalks, bicycle paths, or parks is prohibited.
Especially when driving a motorized bicycle, one must use the road, and penalties such as criminal charges or license suspension/cancellation apply for drunk driving.
A citizen wearing no protective gear is riding an electric scooter recklessly between cars on the Namsan Circular Road in Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@asiae.co.kr
As a result, recent petitions on the Blue House National Petition Board titled "Please strengthen regulations on electric kickboard use" and "Please establish related laws for electric wheels and electric kickboards" have been posted one after another.
A petitioner who revealed that an acquaintance was injured in an electric kickboard accident said, "My acquaintance collided with an electric kickboard that suddenly appeared at high speed in an alley and suffered external injuries," adding, "The other party, who was not wearing protective gear, also sustained external injuries."
He continued, "Near universities, you can see 2 to 3 people riding one rental electric kickboard," and argued, "Traffic safety education should be mandatory, and the driver's license verification process should be strengthened when using shared kickboards."
An expert advised that government-level institutional improvements are necessary. Han Moon-chul, a traffic accident specialist lawyer, said on his YouTube channel, "Recently, accidents related to electric kickboards have been occurring continuously. However, even if unlicensed, if traffic laws had been followed, accidents would not have happened," and insisted, "The government should allow motorized bicycles to be registered and reported."
He added, "Unregistered motorized bicycles should not be allowed to operate. For registered ones, institutional improvements are needed to allow subscription to liability insurance."
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Technology Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced new safety standards for electric personal mobility devices in November last year. The institute established safety standards for electric kickboards, which have had frequent accidents, mandating the installation of headlights and horns. This is in preparation for allowing electric kickboards to travel on bicycle paths and is a measure to reduce the impact on others in case of accidents. These standards have been in effect since February 15 of this year.
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