Government and Industry Join Hands to Promote Safe Use Culture of Electric Kickboards

Government Agencies and Private Companies Participating in the Business Agreement to Promote a Safe Usage Culture of Personal Mobility (PM) (Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The government and private companies have agreed to join forces to promote a safe usage culture for personal mobility devices (PM), such as electric kickboards.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held the first meeting of the public-private consultative body for the safe management of personal mobility devices and announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to spread a proper usage culture.

With the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, promulgated on June 9 and set to take effect on July 10, electric kickboards will be allowed to use bicycle lanes, and the minimum age for use will be lowered from 16 to 13 years old. Due to this, concerns about safety, including the possibility of accidents caused by personal mobility devices, are increasing.

Considering this atmosphere, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport launched the public-private consultative body and plans to address the recent safety concerns regarding personal mobility devices. The consultative body includes the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, National Police Agency, local governments, 15 shared PM companies, and public institutions.

At the first meeting, it was decided to limit the rental age for shared PMs to 18 years or older. Those aged 16 and 17 must possess a motorized bicycle license to rent. The rental age restriction for shared PMs will be operated on a pilot basis for six months.

Additionally, enforcement and guidance will be strengthened against drunk driving, signal violations, not wearing helmets, and riding with two people. Safety campaigns will be conducted mainly around areas with high electric kickboard usage, such as subway stations, university districts, and parks, and online safety promotions will be carried out through webtoons, YouTube, and other platforms.

The consultative body plans to enact a Personal Mobility Device Act within the year to establish an overall management system for personal mobility devices. Measures to impose fines and penalties on those who illegally modify or operate modified personal mobility devices will also be pursued.

At the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed to enhance the execution of the matters discussed by the consultative body.

The signatory organizations will conduct promotion, education, and campaigns on usage safety rules based on the safety management enhancement measures announced that day and will actively cooperate in future discussions on reasonable insurance system plans.

Baek Seung-geun, Director of the Transportation and Logistics Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "With the enforcement of the amended Road Traffic Act, which allows personal mobility devices to use bicycle lanes and abolishes the obligation to obtain a driver's license, public concerns about safety are significant. We plan to hold thorough discussions with related agencies and the industry and prepare improvement measures to establish a desirable usage culture."