Citizen's Feet Kickboard, How Did It Become a 'Nuisance' on the Road?

Traffic Accidents Related to This Increase 15-Fold in 4 Years
70,566 Safety Regulation Violations Last Year
Abandoned Kickboards Scattered Across the City Also a 'Headache'

On the 23rd, when Seoul City implemented comprehensive improvement measures such as setting return restriction zones to prevent illegal parking of shared electric scooters and reduce indiscriminate towing, shared electric scooters were left abandoned in Taepyeongno 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. Although a towing request was made for the abandoned shared scooters that day, the towing did not occur even after an hour. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Electric kickboards, popular among citizens for short-distance travel, are becoming a nuisance. Due to repeated safety accidents and indiscriminate abandonment, they have turned from a means of transportation for ordinary people into a public nuisance on the roads.

According to statistics from the National Police Agency on the 25th, accidents involving personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards and electric bicycles have surged nearly 15 times in four years: △117 cases in 2017 △225 cases in 2018 △447 cases in 2019 △897 cases in 2020 △1,735 cases in 2021. The number has nearly doubled every year.

Although regulations on kickboards, such as mandatory helmet wearing and possession of a driver’s license, were strengthened starting last year, related accidents continue to increase. The number of traffic accident deaths involving personal mobility device users reached 11 in the first half of this year alone.

Recently, in Changwon, Gyeongnam, two high school students riding kickboards at night in the wrong direction collided with an oncoming SUV, suffering multiple fractures; one is reported to be in critical condition. In Busan, it was revealed late last month that a man in his 50s who was riding an electric kickboard without wearing a helmet fell and was found dead the next day.

Violations of safety regulations such as not wearing helmets, driving without a license, drunk driving, and exceeding passenger limits are frequent. Last year, the police recorded 70,566 cases of personal mobility device violations. Among these, over 80%, or 58,580 cases, involved not wearing helmets.

On the 13th, when the revised Road Traffic Act strengthening regulations on the use of personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards came into effect, traffic safety officers from the Gangnam Police Station were conducting guidance and promotional activities around Samseong Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. According to the revision, only those holding a "Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License" or higher can ride electric kickboards, and a fine of 20,000 won will be imposed for riding without a helmet. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In June, in Gwangju, a middle school student was booked by the police for injuring a pedestrian while riding a shared electric kickboard without a license. The student borrowed the shared kickboard under someone else’s name and even gave a peer a ride on the back.

Abandoned kickboards scattered throughout urban areas are also a headache. Kickboards parked recklessly not only on roads but also on sidewalks and parking lots obstruct pedestrian traffic. In some areas, kickboards even occupy tactile paving blocks meant for visually impaired people.

Because of this, Wonju City in Gangwon Province introduced a reporting system for abandoned kickboards starting this month. When an abandoned kickboard is reported, Wonju City verifies its location and orders the responsible company to move it. If the company fails to act within two hours, the kickboard is towed. The towing cost of 16,000 KRW is charged to the company. Seoul also allows private companies to tow kickboards parked outside designated parking spaces.

Recently, a kickboard occupying an entire parking space in an apartment underground parking lot became a hot topic. One resident left a kickboard in a parking spot with a note saying, “Legal action will be taken if moved without permission. Property damage complaint (appears to be a wrongful accusation) planned.” Other residents strongly criticized this as a form of “reservation” to claim parking space.