Gangdong-gu, Emerging as a Bicycle-Friendly City

Gangdong-gu Operates Various Customized Programs to Promote Bicycle Use and Ensure User Safety

Cheonho Bicycle Street Selected for Local Brand Project… 1.5 Billion KRW Invested, Expected to Revitalize Local Commercial Area

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) is implementing various policies to develop into a bicycle-friendly city by promoting the use of bicycles, an eco-friendly green transportation mode, and ensuring the safety of users through programs such as Gangdong Bike School bicycle safety education, bicycle self-maintenance classes, mobile repair services, and bicycle insurance.

Gangdong Bike School Bicycle Safety Education and More… Various Programs Operated to Promote Bicycle Use and Ensure Residents’ Safety

The district is leading efforts to prepare various educational programs and policies composed of theory and practice to ensure the safety of the increasing number of bicycle users.

The ‘Gangdong Bike School Bicycle Safety Education’ is a program that combines theoretical education on bicycle traffic safety, including traffic laws, with practical bicycle riding training.

They also operate a ‘Bicycle Self-Maintenance Class’ that helps develop the ability to respond to emergencies that may occur while using a bicycle.

The lecture contents include ▲Purpose of bicycle maintenance ▲Emergency treatment for tire punctures ▲Emergency treatment, inspection, and replacement for chain derailment ▲Bicycle care (chain oiling, washing, etc.) ▲Brake maintenance.

At the bicycle safety experience center and Gangdong Bike School indoor training center (89 Sangil-ro 12-gil), professional bicycle mechanics conduct customized education focused on theory and practice twice per session (total 6 hours), with 15 participants per session divided into 8 sessions in total.

Additionally, the district operates repair centers to allow residents to use bicycles safely and conveniently, alleviating inconveniences and preventing safety accidents by dividing the repair centers into fixed and mobile repair centers.

Moreover, to ensure residents can use bicycles safely anywhere, the ‘Gangdong-gu Resident Bicycle Insurance’ is in effect. Residents registered in Gangdong-gu are automatically enrolled without a separate subscription process. This insurance covers accidents occurring anywhere in Korea while directly riding a bicycle, riding as a passenger without driving, or accidents caused by bicycles during pedestrian passage, provided the injury requires a diagnosis of four weeks or more.

The coverage amount is up to 10 million KRW for death and permanent disability, and injury diagnosis benefits range from 100,000 KRW to 600,000 KRW (differentiated for 4 to 8 weeks).

Additionally, costs for hiring a lawyer for bicycle accidents and support for traffic accident processing are also covered, and coverage can overlap with other personal insurance policies.

Cheonho Bicycle Street… Selected for Seoul Local Brand Commercial Area Strengthening Project with 1.5 Billion KRW Invested by 2025

Previously designated as an honorary road name in 2016, ‘Cheonho Bicycle Street’ is the largest bicycle-related commercial area in Korea, gathering bicycle goods stores, education centers, and other bicycle-related businesses.

‘Cheonho Bicycle Street’ was selected for the ‘Seoul Local Brand Commercial Area Strengthening Project,’ a project aimed at empowering local commercial areas by encouraging creative small business owners to develop regional characteristics and culture. A total budget of 1.5 billion KRW will be invested by 2025, including 1.24 billion KRW from the city and 260 million KRW from the district.

To secure regional competitiveness in the contest, the district proposed strategies such as strengthening the local brand by linking Cheonho Bicycle Street with Han River tours and bicycle trips, creating a unique street combining bicycles and art, providing a one-stop service for bicycle-related information, and hosting an international bicycle festival to make the area a landmark.

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “I hope bicycle-related policies help ensure safe bicycle use, and I expect Cheonho Bicycle Street to contribute to revitalizing the local economy. We will continue to do our best to promote bicycle use and create a safe environment for residents.”