SEOUL, May 26 (Korea Bizewire) — A growing number of South Koreans are using shared electric scooters instead of public transportation due to the coronavirus.
Mobile Index, a big data platform, reported a sixfold increase in the number of monthly active users for e-scooter-sharing apps, going from 37,294 people last year to 214,451 people as of April.
“Warmer weather, coupled with the coronavirus, is prompting people to replace public transportation with e-scooters,” Mobile Index said.
E-scooter-sharing businesses are speeding up expansion with relevant legislation recently amended to alleviate restrictions on the personal mobility industry.
The new legislation, taking effect later this year, will allow e-scooters to be used on bicycle paths without the need to acquire a driver’s license.
Safety issues, however, remain. While electric scooters will be categorized as ‘bicycles’ and users required to wear a safety helmet, the rule is not likely to be enforced.
The Samsung Traffic Safety Research Institute reported that accidents involving e-scooters registered by the institute went from 49 cases in 2016 to 890 last year.
Image Credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
