Members of 10 civic groups held a press conference in front of Sejong Center in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Saturday and criticized the government for the bureaucratic practices that did not take into consideration the needs of cyclists when implementing the measure. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Cyclists who oppose the government’s newly implemented measure making helmets mandatory gathered together to hold a protest in central Seoul.
The protestors later cycled without wearing helmets.
Members of 10 civic groups held a press conference in front of Sejong Center in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Saturday and criticized the government for the bureaucratic practices that did not take into consideration the needs of cyclists when implementing the measure.
“Instead of putting the blame on cyclists for traffic accidents, the government should try to prevent accidents by creating safer infrastructure for cyclists,” claimed the activists.
After the protest, the participants took to the streets to ride their bicycles without wearing helmets. Only one cyclist out of the total 30 protestors wore a helmet during the ride.
The sole helmet-wearing cyclist said, “I always wear a helmet, but forcing others to wear them is a measure that goes against the times.”
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety made wearing a helmet mandatory for cyclists starting September 28 by revising relevant traffic laws.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
