Songpa-gu, Street-Abandoned Electric Kickboards Towed... Towing Fee 40,000 Won

Starting July 1, Shared Electric Scooter Complaint Reporting System Launches... Towing Implemented

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu is proactively responding to establish parking order for electric kickboards, taking the lead in fostering a proper usage culture for shared electric kickboards as a new means of transportation.

Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) recently announced that it will implement 'towing of electric kickboards violating parking and stopping regulations' to resolve residents' inconvenience caused by indiscriminate parking of shared electric kickboards, a recent social issue, and to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Until now, electric kickboards did not have designated return locations and were left anywhere on roads or sidewalks, causing many residents to complain about traffic inconvenience. Due to the lack of related laws on parking methods, local governments have faced difficulties in enforcement and handling.

Accordingly, following the amendment of the Seoul Metropolitan Government ordinance on towing vehicles violating stopping and parking regulations (May 20), which provided grounds for towing abandoned electric kickboards, the towing system for electric kickboards violating parking and stopping regulations has been in operation since July 1.

Currently, towing of electric kickboards violating parking and stopping regulations is prepared and being implemented first in five districts, including Songpa-gu.

The towing system immediately tows electric kickboards abandoned within 10 meters of subway station entrances/exits, bus stops, and taxi stands, as well as near crosswalk entrances. For other general sidewalks, the company is requested to collect the kickboards within 3 hours of discovery, and if no action is taken, towing is enforced.

Additionally, a method for residents to directly report complaints has been established. When reported through the dedicated electric kickboard complaint reporting system website, towing is carried out immediately or after 3 hours.

The towing fee is 40,000 KRW per unit, and storage fees can be charged up to 500,000 KRW.

This pilot operation of the electric kickboard towing system is expected to provide practical help for pedestrian safety by establishing usage order and improving parking awareness of electric kickboards.

Moreover, to ensure residents' safety from disorderly parking of electric kickboards, since October last year, the district has designated kickboard parking zones and has been the first public institution to pilot install and operate kickboard-exclusive racks.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Through the implementation of this electric kickboard towing system, we will prevent indiscriminate abandonment of personal mobility devices and foster a proper usage culture for electric kickboards as a new means of transportation. We will do our best to create a city that is safe for both users and pedestrians.”

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