(image: Seoul Metropolitan Government)
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — A long stretch of roadway stretching from Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square and passing through Namsan Tunnel 3 to Banpo Hangang Park will be closed to traffic on September 30, the last Sunday of the month.
In lieu of motor vehicles, the road will be open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The Seoul city government announced yesterday that it was inviting 15,000 Seoulites to participate in the 2018 Seoul Walk and Bike Festival with registration available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Currently in its sixth year, the festival was established by city organizers in order to allow citizens to roam the capital’s central district freely on foot or by bicycle without having to worry about motor vehicles.
Cyclists will kick off the festival by beginning their journey from Gwanghwamun Square, followed by walkers.
The walking course will span 7.6 kilometers as walkers continue to Namsan Tunnel 3, Jamsu Bridge, and Banpo Hangang Park.
Those on bikes will ride 15 kilometers, which includes the same course as their walking counterparts until Namsam Tunnel 3, when cyclists will head to Banpo Bridge, while making a U-turn at the Seocho 3-dong intersection to arrive at the Banpo Hangang Park.
(image: Seoul Metropolitan Government)
For the first time this year, participants will also be able to take part with personal mobility devices, currently lauded as new and eco-friendly means of transportation.
A total of 10,000 people will be able to take part in the festival on foot, 4,800 participants on bicycles, and 200 individuals on their personal mobility devices.
In order to take part in the festival, people can apply, in order of arrival, by accessing the festival’s official website (www.walkseoul.com). There is no participation fee.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
