Despite COVID-19 Impact, Ddareungi Usage Up 58% Year-on-Year
QR-Type New Ddareungi to Introduce Total of 13,000 Units by Year-End
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] If you experience a flat tire while riding a bicycle or if the bolt on the bicycle pedal becomes loose, you can now repair it yourself using various bicycle repair tools at the "Bicycle Self-Repair Station" operated by the Seoul Facilities Corporation.
The Seoul Facilities Corporation announced on the 2nd that it operates bicycle self-repair stations at five locations: Exit 2 of DMC Station in Mapo-gu, Exit 3 of Oksu Station in Seongdong-gu, in front of Gangdong-gu Office, Exit 1 of Yeouinaru Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, and Exit 3 of Olympic Park Station in Songpa-gu.
The bicycle self-repair stations are designed with user convenience in mind, measuring 120 cm in width, 30 cm in depth, and 250 cm in height. They are equipped with a C-shaped rack for easy bicycle mounting, a bicycle tire air pump, wrenches and screwdrivers for various screws and parts, and socket wrenches for loosening or tightening bolts and nuts.
The corporation is introducing methods for using the bicycle self-repair stations as well as how to repair bicycles using the tools provided at the repair stations through YouTube (https://youtu.be/fOnv6b9Q2Rg) to the public.
The corporation is also taking measures to ensure the stable operation of Seoul's public bicycle system, "Ddareungi." Minor repairs are promptly handled on-site, and the number of "Ddareungi Po" centers responsible for repairing and maintaining Ddareungi bicycles is being expanded, along with increasing the distribution of the QR-code type New Ddareungi.
Accordingly, 66 additional personnel have been deployed so that Ddareungi repair and delivery staff can immediately fix minor issues such as low tire pressure or temporary terminal errors at rental stations. Furthermore, the number of "Ddareungi Po" centers, which are private bicycle dealerships responsible for Ddareungi repair and maintenance, has been expanded from 75 locations last year to a total of 102 locations this year.
The "QR-code type New Ddareungi," which allows simple rental and return by scanning a QR code, started with 4,500 units in March and plans to introduce a total of 13,000 units by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Ddareungi rides from February to April (4.45 million rides) increased by 58% compared to the same period last year (2.82 million rides).
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