Enhancing Night Visibility by Attaching International Standard Reflective Tape and Plates and Increasing Auxiliary Lighting
400 Bicycle Chain Detachment Prevention Devices Installed for Pilot Testing...Expansion After Monitoring
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul's public bicycle system, ‘Ddarungi’, is becoming safer.
On the 25th, the Seoul Facilities Corporation announced that it will implement a strengthened set of ‘Ddarungi's Five Major Safety Measures’ sequentially starting at the end of this month.
The core focus is to enhance the safety of using the public bicycle Ddarungi and improve the maintenance system. With the number of Ddarungi users increasing by 24% in 2020 compared to 2019, emerging as a daily transportation means during the COVID-19 era, the plan aims to prevent possible malfunctions and safety accidents in advance.
The five major safety measures for Ddarungi are ▲enhanced nighttime visibility ▲prevention of bicycle chain derailment ▲expanded lighting installation at Ddarungi rental stations ▲‘Saessak Ddarungi’ safety video service ▲expansion of maintenance centers and rapid simple repairs at rental stations.
To ensure Ddarungi is clearly visible to vehicle drivers and pedestrians even at night, reflective tape and reflectors meeting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) reflective standards will be widely attached. This is intended to make the entire size of the bicycle discernible during nighttime operation to prevent accidents. Approximately 3,000 Ddarungi bicycles, including newly introduced ones this year and those requiring tire replacement due to aging, will be targeted. The implementation will proceed sequentially from the end of March.
To prevent bicycle chain derailment, which could lead to accidents, chain tensioners and chain guards will be pilot-installed on 400 Ddarungi bicycles. The ‘chain tensioner’ is a device that prevents the chain from loosening and derailing. It will be attached to 100 Ddarungi bicycles starting in April. The chain guard minimizes the space where the chain can derail. It will be manufactured to fit Ddarungi specifications and applied to 300 bicycles within the first half of the year. The effectiveness of both devices will be monitored before considering wider deployment.
‘Gobo lighting’ will be expanded at Ddarungi rental stations that are located away from streetlights or in peripheral areas, which are darker during evening hours. An additional 100 locations will be equipped by October, increasing the total to 254 stations. Furthermore, starting in April, the app will be upgraded so that youths aged 13 using the small model ‘Saessak Ddarungi’ must watch a ‘Safety Usage Guide Video’ before renting. The video, about 30 seconds long, includes instructions such as not using earphones while riding and dismounting to walk the bicycle across crosswalks. A text notification service to legal guardians will also continue to be provided.
The Ddarungi maintenance system will also be expanded. The ‘Integrated Maintenance Centers’ will open an additional center in the southeastern Tancheon area this year, increasing the total to seven. ‘Simple maintenance shops’ for minor repairs have been newly established at three delivery centers in Cheonho, Cheonwang, and Dobong, and began operation this month. Additionally, simple maintenance such as tire air pressure adjustment will be promptly handled at all Ddarungi rental stations on-site.
Cho Sung-il, Director of Seoul Facilities Corporation, said, "As the institution responsible for the maintenance, repair, and management of Ddarungi, Seoul Facilities Corporation aims to enhance the safety of nighttime operation for Ddarungi users and prevent safety accidents in advance. We continuously seek improvement measures through consultations with internal and external experts," adding, "We will continue to do our best to identify and address any inconveniences or safety hazards from the perspective of users."
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