South Korean lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations on the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric scooters and kickboards. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Despite a high-profile safety campaign, Seoul’s designated “kickboard-free zones” are failing to keep electric scooters off crowded streets, with underage riders zipping through school districts largely unchecked.
On a recent afternoon in the Banpo neighborhood, a 15-year-old middle school student rode a shared e-scooter alongside friends on electric bicycles, weaving through pedestrians on their way home from class. The area, just steps away from a stretch officially declared off-limits to scooters, showed no sign of police or local enforcement.
Under current law, riders must hold at least a motorcycle permit — available only from age 16 — meaning the teenager’s ride was illegal. Yet violations remain rampant.
Nearby shop owners said high schoolers often speed down the sloping streets after school hours, endangering customers. Similar scenes play out in other “kickboard-free” zones such as Hongdae’s Red Road, where scooters are still parked in clusters despite banners warning of fines.
Authorities have said violators face penalties of 30,000 to 60,000 won (US$22–$44), but enforcement remains in a prolonged “grace period” that has now stretched to five months. City and police officials are still debating whether to extend it further.
A shared electric scooter is parked in front of a utility pole in Yangcheon District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
The initiative gained urgency after a recent accident in Incheon left a mother critically injured when struck by an unlicensed teenage rider, prompting vows to expand scooter-free areas near schools. Yet experts say the program’s impact has been negligible.
As enforcement stalls, safety awareness among teens appears to be fading. “No one else wears a helmet, so it’s fine,” said a high school senior in Jamsil, adding that riding scooters “feels cool” and “is part of the trend.” Some students even coined slang like “two-riding” or “four-riding” to describe piling multiple passengers onto one scooter.
Despite growing public concern — with the term “kickrani” (a blend of “kickboard” and “deer”) now used to describe reckless youth riders — seven related safety bills remain stalled in the National Assembly. A plan to introduce a dedicated personal mobility license has also been shelved.
Industry experts argue that piecemeal bans won’t solve the problem. “Personal mobility vehicles are inherently risky and need stricter speed limits,” said Kim Pil-soo, president of the Korea Personal Mobility Industry Association. “We need consistent education for young riders and stronger enforcement of licensing and safety rules.”
For now, Seoul’s kickboard-free zones remain more symbolic than effective — a reminder of the growing gap between regulation and reality on the city’s streets.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
