From Shared Kickboards to Shared Scooters... Increasing Road Pariahs

Multiple Issues Arise Including License Verification Loopholes and Reckless Parking

Pedestrians walking on the sidewalk near Sinsa Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, avoiding shared scooters set up on the 28th afternoon. Photo by Byungdon Yoo tamond@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] With the emergence of shared electric scooters available for paid rental, criticism is rising that they could become another nuisance on the roads, following shared kickboards which have already become burdensome.

According to the mobility industry on the 28th, electric kickboard company Swing started a shared electric scooter service on the 11th. They are currently operating a pilot service with 100 units mainly in Gangnam-gu and Songpa-gu, Seoul. The company plans to expand the service area after reviewing business feasibility.

The shared scooters can be used by paying a certain fee (initial 1,200 KRW + 180 KRW per minute) through a dedicated application (app), and users can return the scooter by parking it wherever they want.

Additionally, users must verify a motorized bicycle license or a class 2 or higher automobile driver's license to start and rent the electric scooter, and the maximum speed is limited to 40 km/h. All scooters are equipped with helmet boxes.

However, complaints about shared scooters are being raised in various places. First, there is a loophole in the license verification process, which has been an issue in several shared vehicle services. Minors can misuse their parents' names to verify licenses and use the service freely.

Shared scooters indiscriminately parked on the sidewalk near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 28th. Photo by Byungdon Yoo tamond@

Existing shared kickboards also require a 'Class 2 motorized bicycle license' or higher and mandatory helmet use during riding, following the amendment of the Road Traffic Act implemented in May last year, but minors such as high school students frequently use them.

There are no proper measures to regulate users who ride on sidewalks instead of roads or park irresponsibly anywhere. Shared scooters parked haphazardly near subway station entrances and bus stops obstruct pedestrian traffic. Citizen Shin Ki-jun (26) said, “Shared kickboards scattered everywhere are already unpleasant to see, and now scooters, which are bulkier, have appeared,” adding, “I have often felt threatened by scooters casually riding on sidewalks.”

Given this situation, debates over the approval of shared scooter businesses are also emerging. However, since this industry operates under a notification system rather than a permit system, there is no legal basis to block business implementation. The only penalty is fines for not wearing helmets.

Experts advise that related regulations should be improved proactively. Professor Kim Pil-su of Daelim University’s Department of Future Automotive Studies emphasized, “Since issues like parking and the obligation for operators to verify licenses have been blind spots institutionally, clear establishment is necessary.”

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