Dongdaemun-gu's Secret to Being a 'Bike-Friendly City'?...Education, Repair, and Insurance Support

From Customized Classes for Beginner Cyclists to a Mobile Repair Center,
Comprehensive Support for Everyday Bicycle Use
Automatic Enrollment in Bicycle and PM Insurance for All Residents...
Creating a Safe and Reliable Bicycle Environment

Citizens Riding Bicycles

Dongdaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is promoting a systematic bicycle policy to make bicycle use safer and more convenient. From education for beginner cyclists to operating a mobile repair center and enrolling all residents in bicycle and Personal Mobility (PM) insurance, the district supports residents to ride bicycles with peace of mind in their daily lives.

Operation of Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Learning Center - 128 sessions for 25 participants each month

The district operates the 'Bicycle Traffic Safety Experience Learning Center' for beginner cyclists until November. The learning center is located at Hwikyung 2 Riverside Park along Jungnangcheon Stream (between Gyeomjaegyo and Jangan Bridge) and is divided into a children's class (for kindergarten and daycare children) and an adult class (ages 14 to 65). The adult class is further divided into weekday and weekend sessions, with a total of 128 sessions held monthly for 25 participants, providing customized education tailored to beginners from pedal practice to riding.

The children's class provides bicycle safety sign recognition, theory, and practical training to about 600 children from daycare centers and kindergartens who apply in advance. To enhance professionalism, the district hired eight certified bicycle instructors in February to conduct the training. Registration for the adult class begins at the start of each month, and residents from other areas can apply for remaining spots from the 15th of each month.

Residents who participated in the classes responded positively. Ms. Im Mi-hye said, "Thanks to the Dongdaemun-gu bicycle class, I was able to safely learn to ride a bicycle that I never dared to learn alone." She added, "Thanks to the instructor's cheerful and kind guidance, I can now ride without fear." Another participant, Mr. Lee Seo-ha, shared, "Through the four-week course, I rode a bicycle for the first time, and on graduation riding day, I felt moved as we rode in a line like baby ducks."

Operation of 'Visiting Bicycle Repair Center' ? Basic inspections free, only parts cost charged

To resolve maintenance inconveniences for bicycle users, the 'Visiting Bicycle Repair Center' is also in operation. This service provides bicycle inspections and minor repairs at each community service center and was first introduced last year with high satisfaction.

This year, the repair center operates 11 times from April 4 at Imun 1-dong Community Service Center until July 4. In the second half of the year, the service will expand to apartment complexes and parks. Basic inspections such as handlebar, chain, gear setting, and lubrication are free, and only parts costs are charged for replacements like tires and brakes. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and service is available on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations.

Jungnangcheon Riverside Bicycle Path

Bicycle and PM Insurance Enrollment ? Approximately 530 million KRW paid to 940 residents

In addition, the district is implementing the '2025 Dongdaemun-gu Residents Bicycle and PM Insurance' to prepare for accidents that may occur while using bicycles and personal mobility devices (PM). Since first introducing bicycle insurance in 2021, the coverage has expanded to include personal mobility devices from 2023. As of March 2025, about 940 residents have received approximately 530 million KRW in insurance payments.

This insurance applies for one year from March 27, 2025, to March 26, 2026, and all residents registered in Dongdaemun-gu (including foreigners) are automatically enrolled without separate procedures. Coverage includes ▲10 million KRW for death ▲up to 10 million KRW for permanent disability ▲300,000 to 700,000 KRW consolation for injury diagnosis over 4 weeks ▲200,000 KRW hospitalization consolation ▲up to 20 million KRW in fines ▲up to 2 million KRW for attorney fees ▲up to 30 million KRW for accident handling support, in case of accidents during bicycle or PM use.

The insurance covers accidents regardless of location or fault and allows overlapping claims with other insurances. However, those under 15 years old are excluded from death coverage, and electric scooters rented from shared mobility companies are not covered. Claims can be made within three years from the accident date through the dedicated bicycle insurance call center.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, "Bicycles are an eco-friendly mode of transportation and an excellent exercise for residents' health. We will do our best to create a bicycle-friendly environment where anyone can easily learn to ride, get repairs when broken, and be safely protected in case of accidents."