Rapid Increase in Electric Scooter Accidents in Seoul... Over 30% Involve Collisions with Vehicles or Pedestrians

Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters Dispatched for a Total of 23,938 Bicycle and Kickboard Accidents Over 3 Years
Bicycle Accidents Most Frequent in June, Electric Kickboard in September, Two-Wheel Vehicles in October

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters announced on the 3rd that the 119 ambulance team responded to a total of 23,938 incidents involving bicycles and electric kickboards over the past three years, transporting 19,150 people. Among these, bicycle accidents accounted for 23,691 cases (18,930 people), and electric kickboard accidents accounted for 247 cases (220 people).

Bicycle accidents occurred 8,301 times (6,811 people) in 2017, 7,348 times (5,908 people) in 2018, and 8,042 times (6,211 people) in 2019, with the number of incidents increasing by 9.5% compared to the previous year last year alone. Electric kickboard accidents also increased during the same period from 73 cases (66 people) to 57 cases (49 people), and then to 117 cases (105 people).

Regarding two-wheeled vehicle accidents, the city fire and disaster headquarters responded to a total of 41,457 cases and transported 29,795 people. The number of patients transported due to accidents was slightly decreasing with 13,868 cases (10,350 people) in 2017, 13,798 cases (9,863 people) in 2018, and 13,791 cases (582 people) in 2019.

Over the past three years, bicycle accidents occurred most frequently in June with 2,971 cases (2,437 people), electric kickboard accidents were most frequent in September with 32 cases (27 people), and two-wheeled vehicle accidents were most frequent in October with 3,931 cases (2,871 people).

Also, by cause of accident, among the total 23,691 bicycle accidents, collisions with people accounted for 6.6% (1,560 cases). For electric kickboards, out of 247 cases, collisions with vehicles accounted for 25.5% (63 cases), and collisions with people accounted for 6.5% (16 cases).

A representative from the city fire and disaster headquarters stated, "Bicycle accidents result in approximately 8,000 cases and 6,300 casualties annually on average," adding, "In particular, electric kickboard accidents occur about 80 times annually on average, but last year alone saw a 105% increase compared to the previous year, so users need to exercise special caution for safety."

Meanwhile, fires caused by electric kickboards over the past three years were 9 cases in 2017, 10 cases in 2018, and 23 cases in 2019, with 12 cases already reported as of the end of April this year. By cause, 40 cases (95%) occurred during charging, and 2 cases (5%) occurred during operation.

A representative from the city fire and disaster headquarters explained, "Electric kickboard fires show explosive combustion phenomena from the battery, so charging in an open outdoor space can prevent fire damage," adding, "It is recommended to use genuine batteries that meet standards, store them in a moisture-free place after use, and avoid operating in rainy weather."

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