Seoul City to Introduce 'Bicycle Riding Skill Certification System' in June... Fare Discounts for Ddareungi Users Who Pass

Comprehensive Overhaul of Safety Training in Response to Increased Bicycle Users and PM Usage Due to Prolonged COVID-19
Certification Issued Upon Passing Written and Practical Exams After Completing Safety Training

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will introduce a ‘Bicycle Driving Competency Certification System’ similar to the automobile driver's license test in June to establish a safe bicycle usage culture.

On the 7th, Seoul announced that it will completely overhaul and implement the bicycle safety education system, including the Bicycle Driving Competency Certification System. This is in response to the changing transportation environment, such as the 24% increase in the use of public bicycles "Ddareungi" last year compared to the previous year due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and the activation of personal mobility (PM) usage, aiming to spread a safer usage culture.

The main contents of the bicycle safety education system reform include: introduction of the Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Certification System, development of customized education through age-specific standard textbooks, expansion of bicycle instructor training, implementation of bicycle maintenance education, and opening of an integrated bicycle safety education website.

First, starting in June, the ‘Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Certification System’ will be launched to evaluate bicycle driving skills. After completing bicycle safety education, candidates must pass a written test (1 hour) on traffic laws essential for riding a bicycle and a practical test (1 hour) on courses such as curves and straight paths. Upon passing, Seoul will issue a certification. The validity period is two years.

The certification system is divided into beginner (ages 9 to under 13) and intermediate (ages 13 and above) levels, considering the applicant’s learning and physical abilities. Only those who have completed bicycle safety education conducted by each autonomous district from this year are eligible to apply. Intermediate level passers will receive incentives such as partial discounts on Ddareungi usage fees for two years to encourage more citizen participation.

There will be a total of four test locations by region. Currently, three locations are confirmed: Dongdaemun-gu Traffic Safety Experience Learning Center, Gwanak-gu Bicycle Education Center, and Songpa-gu Safety Experience Education Center. One more location in the Gangbuk area will be confirmed in the future.

Customized standard textbooks by age group have also been developed. To enhance educational effectiveness, the standard textbooks are produced for toddlers, elementary students, middle and high school students, and adults. They include essential traffic laws for riding bicycles, hand signals, and recently increased personal mobility (PM) usage methods. It is expected that more substantial customized safety education will be implemented.

A total of 80 additional ‘bicycle instructors’ will be trained this year. Based on the newly developed bicycle safety education textbooks, training will cover everything from theory such as bicycle structure, related laws, and teaching methods to practical skills including traffic safety practice, riding skills, maintenance practice, and first aid. Additionally, ‘bicycle maintenance education’ will be conducted twice a year. This is in response to the growing demand for bicycle maintenance education as bicycle usage increases. The education focuses on practical training, from checking and caring for bicycle frames and parts to handling emergency situations such as tire punctures and chain malfunctions during riding.

Furthermore, to assist citizens who had difficulty finding bicycle education information, an integrated ‘Bicycle Safety Education Website’ compiling all bicycle-related education information will be newly established and opened at the end of this month. Citizens can check and apply for various bicycle-related education programs, including bicycle safety education by each autonomous district, the Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Certification System, bicycle instructor training, and bicycle maintenance education, all in one place with curriculum, schedules, and locations.

Bae Deok-hwan, head of the Seoul Bicycle Policy Division, said, "By evaluating and certifying bicycle users’ driving abilities just like automobiles, we will establish a culture of safe usage," adding, "We will enhance the effectiveness of education through a complete overhaul of the bicycle safety education system. We will continue to implement multifaceted policies to ensure that Seoul citizens can use bicycles more safely and conveniently."

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