This Nov. 1, 2019, file photo shows participants test riding in an event to promote an electric kickboard sharing service in Hwaseong, 80 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of accidents involving electric kickboards more than doubled last year, fire authorities in Seoul said Wednesday.
The two-wheeled vehicle has gained popularity among youth due to speed and convenience, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak as people shun public transport for fear of infection.
The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters said the number of electric kickboard accidents increased 105 percent on-year to 117 in 2019. There were 57 cases in 2018 and 73 in 2017.
In comparison, bicycle accidents were tallied at 8,301 in 2017, 7,348 in 2018 and 8,042 in 2019. Motorcycle accidents numbered 13,868, 13,798 and 13,791 in the same years.
Of the 247 electric kickboard accidents over the past three years, 63 cases, or 25.5 percent, involved crashes with automobiles.
Fire accounted for 17 percent, or 42 cases, mostly caused by battery explosions, the agency said. It advised users to charge the vehicle in the open air.
(Yonhap)
