Stopping Unauthorized Abandonment of Shared Electric Kickboards... Clarifying Tow Zone Criteria and Imposing Penalties on Violators

Promotion of Comprehensive Improvement Measures Based on Public-Private Win-Win Cooperation
Immediate Clarification of Towing Zones... 60-Minute Collection Time Granted on Voluntary Order Maintenance Basis
Creation of About 360 Parking Spaces Within the Year... GPS-Based Return Restriction Zones Established

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City will clarify the criteria for immediate towing zones for shared electric scooters, which are becoming a popular personal mobility option, grant companies a voluntary towing grace period of 60 minutes, and establish 360 electric scooter parking spaces within the year. Measures will also be implemented to set GPS-based no-return zones and impose penalties on users.

On the 22nd, Seoul City announced that it will promote a comprehensive improvement plan for shared electric scooters, including detailed management standards. Following the full-scale towing implementation in July, Seoul City aims to quickly reflect operational conditions and field opinions within eight months, with the goal of revitalizing the industry and enhancing pedestrian safety. Comparing the number of illegal parking reports over the past seven months since towing began last July, the reports decreased by 53%, from 1,242 cases in the first week of towing to 579 cases in the fourth week of February this year, demonstrating an effect in maintaining order.

The plan, jointly promoted by Seoul City and the electric scooter industry starting in March, includes ▲ clarifying the criteria for immediate towing zones ▲ granting a 60-minute towing grace period based on voluntary order maintenance ▲ creating electric scooter parking spaces ▲ setting GPS-based no-return zones ▲ and imposing penalties on users.

First, ambiguous areas within towing management zones will be clearly defined to resolve conflicts that may arise during towing. Existing criteria such as zones obstructing direct or left-right movement when entering or exiting subway stations, or zones that may block crosswalk access, have been specified as separated sidewalks and roads, bicycle lanes, 5 meters in front of subway station exits, 5 meters in front of bus stops, on tactile paving and traffic islands, and 3 meters before and after crosswalks.

A 60-minute collection time will be provided within immediate towing zones on the premise that electric scooter companies voluntarily maintain order. Preconditions include setting GPS-based return restriction zones, imposing user penalties, sharing data, and efforts to improve collection rates, aiming to strengthen social responsibility and improve the pedestrian environment. Additionally, 360 electric scooter parking spaces will be created within the year at locations that do not obstruct pedestrians, such as sidewalks with an effective width of 2 meters or more and between street trees.

Enhanced measures will also be implemented by designating separate no-return zones and imposing penalties on habitual violators. Seoul City plans to build a system where the GPS automatically recognizes the device during parking and prevents returns if the user attempts to park within restricted zones. Habitual parking violators will face penalties such as suspension of use or account cancellation to raise users' awareness of order.

Meanwhile, Seoul City is establishing a proactive system, including completing a 'citizen reporting system' that allows easy reporting via QR codes for citizens' convenience. Since improving the pedestrian environment depends on active citizen reporting, the city plans to actively promote guidance to increase citizen participation rates.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, said, "The electric scooter towing policy proactively implemented by Seoul City is showing significant effects in improving the pedestrian environment," adding, "The city will continue to work with the electric scooter industry to create a safe usage foundation that satisfies both pedestrians and users."

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