Paju City Implements Comprehensive Measures for Personal Mobility Devices
Increased Towing Fees and Immediate Towing in Return-Prohibited Zones
"No More Unauthorized Parking... Paju City's PM Policy Now in Effect"
Paju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyoungil) announced on April 22 that it has established the 'Comprehensive Measures for Personal Mobility Devices (PM)' to address citizen inconvenience and safety issues caused by personal mobility devices. The measures include the designation of 'PM Red Zones' where the return of personal mobility devices is prohibited, and the operation of focused management zones. The city will begin full implementation of these measures starting May 2.
Personal mobility devices refer to motorized vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 25 km/h and a body weight of less than 30 kg, including electric kickboards, electric two-wheeled self-balancing vehicles, and bicycles powered solely by electric motors. While personal mobility devices have gained attention as fast and eco-friendly means of transportation, the absence of higher-level laws and their classification as a free business have led to institutional limitations. As a result, local governments lack authority for management and supervision, leading to ongoing issues such as unauthorized parking in urban areas and concerns over safety accidents.
In March 2021, Paju City became the first in northern Gyeonggi Province to establish the 'Ordinance on the Use and Safety Promotion of Personal Mobility Devices in Paju City,' providing an institutional foundation for the management of personal mobility devices. Since November 2023, the city has implemented towing measures for unauthorized shared personal mobility devices. Subsequently, the city has worked to strengthen its management system by signing agreements and holding meetings with rental companies to minimize citizen inconvenience, and by installing dedicated parking zones for personal mobility devices.
Despite these efforts, the disorderly parking and safety problems associated with shared personal mobility devices have persisted. In response, the city reflected the results of a user survey conducted among citizens in March and established three major strategies and eight key projects for the 'Paju City Comprehensive Measures for Personal Mobility Devices (PM).'
◆ Strengthened Management: Designation of 'Return Prohibited Zones (Red Zones)' in Front of Crosswalks and on Traffic Islands
Since the beginning of the year, Paju City has expanded its enforcement teams from one to two to strengthen crackdowns on unauthorized shared personal mobility devices. The city has also raised the towing fee from 15,000 won to 40,000 won, the highest level in Gyeonggi Province, and introduced a new storage fee.
Additionally, depending on the level of inconvenience to pedestrians, shared personal mobility device companies are currently required to remove devices within one or three hours. If this is not done, the devices are towed. Under the new measures, areas in front of crosswalks and on traffic islands?where pedestrian safety is particularly urgent?will be designated as 'Personal Mobility Device Return Prohibited Zones (PM Red Zones)' to further strengthen management. Shared personal mobility devices left in these zones will be subject to 'immediate towing' without prior warning, with full enforcement beginning on May 2 after a guidance period. Towing and storage fees may be charged to users who park illegally, so users must return devices to designated parking zones after use.
◆ Operation of Focused Management Zones and Expansion of Parking Zones
Areas with frequent complaints will be operated as focused management zones, and all areas outside designated parking zones will be set as return-prohibited sections to foster proper parking practices. If devices are returned outside the parking zones, separate fines will be imposed by each company. The city plans to pilot this system around the central plaza of Unjeong Sannae Village Rodeo Street before expanding it. In addition, dedicated parking zones for personal mobility devices will be installed at major transfer hubs with high citizen usage to prevent indiscriminate parking and create a safer environment.
◆ Strong Response to Traffic Law Violations and Improvement of Public Awareness
Paju City plans to strengthen enforcement in cooperation with the police, who have the authority to crack down on violations such as unlicensed driving, not wearing helmets, carrying more than one person, and drunk driving. The city will also continue on-site traffic safety education for middle and high school students, starting in May as it did last year, to actively inform potential users?middle and high school students aged 16 and over?about the requirement for a motorized bicycle license and other traffic laws and safety rules.
Paju City expects these comprehensive measures to resolve disorderly parking of personal mobility devices, secure pedestrian safety, and improve user awareness. In particular, the 'immediate towing in return prohibited zones (Red Zones)' and the 'operation of focused management zones' are expected to play a significant role in raising awareness among personal mobility device users.
Mayor Kim Kyoungil stated, "We will continue to review and supplement our comprehensive measures to reduce citizen inconvenience and create a safer urban environment," and added, "I ask personal mobility device users to join us in making our city comfortable and safe for everyone by using devices safely and parking them considerately."
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