Regulations on Personal Mobility Devices like Electric Kickboards to Tighten from May... What Rules Should You Know?

Road Traffic Authority Introduces Revised Road Traffic Act
Develops Content on PM Usage Safety Rules

Electric scooter. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Starting this May, the revised Road Traffic Act, which strengthens regulations on the use of personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards, will be enforced. With over one million users of shared electric kickboards in South Korea alone, PMs have now become a popular means of transportation. Accordingly, users must familiarize themselves with the new regulations to ensure comfortable and safe use of PMs. The Road Traffic Authority introduces the updated PM regulations and important precautions for users.

Use Allowed for Those Aged 16 and Over... Fines and Penalties Strengthened

According to market research firm Nielsen KoreanClick, as of October last year, the number of shared electric kickboard users reached 1.15 million. When combined with the number of electric kickboard owners, the scale of PM users is expected to be even larger. This highlights that PMs have become a mainstream mode of transportation.

Consequently, related traffic accidents have also been on the rise. The Road Traffic Authority’s Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS) shows that the number of PM-related traffic accidents increased sharply from 117 cases in 2017 to 447 cases in 2019, with casualties rising from 128 to 481.

Due to safety concerns, the relaxed PM regulations implemented last December will be reinforced again starting May 13, following the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act. First, only holders of a “Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License (Wondonggi Myeonho)” or higher, which can be obtained from age 16, are allowed to operate PMs. Unlicensed drivers face fines of up to 200,000 KRW, and if children under 13 operate personal mobility devices, their guardians may be subject to penalties.

Additionally, new penalties have been introduced for failure to wear protective gear, exceeding passenger limits, and failure to use lighting devices. The rules for where PMs may be ridden remain the same: if a bicycle lane is available, PMs must use the bicycle lane; if not, they must travel along the right edge of the roadway. Use of sidewalks is prohibited.

Finding the Revised Rules Difficult? Use Educational Platforms

The Road Traffic Authority recently collaborated with shared electric kickboard operators to develop safety guideline video content for electric kickboard users, which has been released on the Authority’s YouTube channel and e-learning center. The videos cover ▲ safety checks before riding shared electric kickboards ▲ essential user etiquette such as proper parking locations.

Screenshot from the Korea Road Traffic Authority YouTube channel.

Furthermore, the Authority plans to analyze accident risk factors and establish safety measures and guidelines by utilizing regional personal mobility device user behavior and accident statistics provided by partner organizations.

The Authority emphasized that alongside the educational and promotional efforts of relevant ministries, agencies, and shared electric kickboard operators, users’ compliance with laws and safety rules is essential. An official from the Authority stated, “For a safe road traffic culture involving personal mobility devices, pedestrians, and automobiles, the correct use of personal mobility devices by users is paramount,” adding, “We will continue to cooperate with relevant ministries, industries, and local governments to establish a safe traffic culture for environmentally friendly and convenient personal mobility devices.”

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