The "Corona Gap" Electric Kickboards: Why They Are More Dangerous

A citizen wearing no protective gear is riding an electric scooter weaving through cars on the Namsan Circular Road in Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Another fatal accident involving an electric kickboard user has occurred. As the use of shared electric kickboards, which experienced a 'usage gap' due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), increases, concerns about accidents caused by user negligence and poor management by operating companies are rising.

According to the police on the 14th, from 2017 to 2018, when shared electric kickboard services significantly increased, there were 289 officially reported personal mobility device-related casualties: 8 deaths, 110 serious injuries, and 171 minor injuries. Among the fatal accident cases, the most common cause of death was falling over (5 cases) involving electric kickboards and similar devices.

According to the police and others, the electric kickboard user A (30), who died in an accident in the early hours of the 12th, was confirmed to be unlicensed. Shared electric kickboards are classified as "motorized bicycles" under the Road Traffic Act, the same category as motorcycles, and require a motorized vehicle license to operate. The rental company 'Lime' did not even verify whether users possessed a license.

While user negligence is a problem, the poor management of the rapidly increasing number of electric kickboards is like a 'time bomb.' Usage of electric kickboards decreased from January to March this year amid the spread of COVID-19. However, as the COVID-19 situation has calmed, usage has been increasing in the spring season. Despite using electric batteries, electric kickboards are exposed directly to rain and snow without separate storage locations, increasing the likelihood of major accidents if mechanical failures occur.

Electric kickboards operate on electricity. After use, they need to be collected, charged, and redeployed. Collecting broken or damaged electric kickboards is also necessary. Most shared electric kickboard companies in Korea outsource operations to external contractors or even entrust the work to ordinary people. Those without specialized knowledge or skills check for malfunctions or damage to ensure safety. Although safety accidents frequently occur due to this, many shared service companies have insufficient insurance coverage.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency's Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS), among 528 electric kickboard safety accidents that occurred over four years from 2015 to 2018, 264 cases (50.0%) were due to 'defects and malfunctions' of electric kickboards.

Professor Lee Dong-min of the Department of Transportation Engineering at the University of Seoul pointed out, "Since these are electric-powered mobility devices, clear and more detailed regulations regarding power, steering, braking, headlights, brakes, and storage locations are necessary to prevent confusion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.