"Han River Park Electric Scooter Operation Allowed" ... Comply with 20 km/h Speed Limit and Wear Helmets

Seoul City Completes Preparations for Pedestrian Safety and Accident Prevention
Shared PM Return-Restricted Zones and Speed Limit Systems Set for All Sections

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] With the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act and Bicycle Act, personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric kickboards will be allowed to operate on bicycle paths within Hangang Park starting from the 10th. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 9th that it has completed preparations to ensure pedestrian safety and prevent accidents.

The Hangang Project Headquarters of Seoul emphasized that when citizens operate PMDs on bicycle paths within Hangang Park, they must strictly adhere to safety rules such as riding only on designated roads at speeds below 20 km/h, wearing helmets, and prohibiting drunk driving, unauthorized parking, and abandonment.

To this end, on the 2nd, the city signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 15 shared PM operators to establish a culture of safe operation and maintain basic order in Hangang Park. The entire Hangang Park has been designated as a no-return zone for shared PMs. Since vehicle entry is prohibited in Hangang Park, abandoned PMs are difficult to collect and may pose threats to pedestrian safety or spoil the park’s aesthetics, causing various inconveniences to citizens.

Under current law, the speed limit for PMDs is 25 km/h, but since the bicycle paths in Hangang Park are shared with pedestrians and cyclists, the operating speed is managed at a limit of 20 km/h. Accordingly, PMDs will also be restricted to 20 km/h. Additionally, the city plans to establish a complaint response system, including prompt retrieval measures for unauthorized parking and abandoned PMDs.

To improve operational convenience and prevent accidents, Seoul inspected signage and lighting conditions on bicycle paths and maintained facilities and trees that obstruct operation. The city installed 111 additional speed limit and slow (drive slowly) signs, repaired and newly installed lighting in 15 dark areas, and pruned trees that block visibility.

At the end of last month, volunteers experienced with electric kickboards conducted additional inspections by riding the entire 78 km stretch of bicycle paths round-trip from the user’s perspective.

Operating PMDs outside designated roads (roadways and bicycle paths) is also prohibited and will incur a fine of 50,000 KRW. Furthermore, violations within designated roads such as not wearing helmets, exceeding passenger limits, and drunk driving will be regularly monitored in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Abandoned shared PMDs that may pose risks while passing through the park will have “scheduled for collection” stickers attached during three daily patrols, and the respective companies will be required to promptly retrieve them.

Shin Yong-mok, head of the Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters, urged, “We ask that all pedestrians, cyclists, and PMD users in Hangang Park actively comply with safety rules so that Hangang Park can be a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.”

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