'Kickrani' Electric Scooters Available to Minors Starting Year-End... Any Safety Measures?

From December, Electric Kickboards Allowed on Bicycle Lanes and Usable by Ages 13 and Up
Electric Kickboard Accidents Surge...117 Cases in 2017 to 447 in 2019
Experts Say "Strict Regulations Needed...At Least Basic Education Required"

Electric scooter stock footage/Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "Isn't this becoming more dangerous?", "Safety measures should be prepared first."

With the revision of the Road Traffic Act scheduled to take effect at the end of the year allowing electric kickboards to ride on bicycle lanes and users aged 13 and above to use kickboards without a driver's license, citizens' concerns about safety issues are growing. This is because accidents caused by kickboards continue, and safety rules and enforcement standards remain insufficient. Experts advised that enforcement standards for traffic law violations should be strengthened.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency announced that the amendments to the "Road Traffic Act" and the "Act on the Promotion of Bicycle Use" have been promulgated and will be enforced from December 10.

The amendment defines personal mobility devices as motorized bicycles with a maximum speed of less than 25 km/h and a total weight of less than 30 kg, including electric kickboards. Accordingly, users aged 13 and above can legally use electric kickboards without a license, and electric kickboards can be ridden on bicycle lanes. Users are required to wear bicycle helmets.

However, as accidents caused by electric kickboards continue, concerns have been raised that the amendment to the Road Traffic Act could lead to more serious accidents.

On the MBC program "Real Story Exploration" aired on the 11th, footage of an electric kickboard accident that occurred in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, in August was revealed. The video showed an electric kickboard rider coming down a downhill slope hitting a pedestrian. The victim reportedly suffered skull fractures and cerebral hemorrhage from the accident.

In addition, as the use of shared kickboards increases, related complaints and accidents are also rapidly rising. Recently, a new term "Kikrani," a combination of "kickboard" and "gorani" (water deer), has emerged. Kikrani refers to kickboard users who suddenly appear like a gorani, threatening pedestrians or vehicle drivers.

According to data received by Seo Beom-su, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the National Police Agency on the 8th, complaints related to electric kickboards increased significantly from 290 cases in 2016 to 1,951 cases as of last July. This represents more than a sevenfold increase over the past five years.

According to the National Police Agency, electric kickboard safety accidents increased more than threefold from 117 cases in 2017 to 447 cases last year. During the same period, the number of deaths rose from 4 to 8, and injuries increased from 124 to 473.

A shared kickboard is parked on one side of India. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, citizens are raising concerns that the risk of accidents caused by electric kickboards may increase. There are also calls to strengthen regulations such as safety rules since the eligibility criteria for use have been lowered.

It is pointed out that if unlicensed or underage users use kickboards indiscriminately, contact accidents or hit-and-run incidents may increase. Currently, only those who have obtained a motorized bicycle license or a Class 2 regular driver's license can use electric kickboards.

A worker identified as A, who commutes near Gangnam, Seoul, said, "There have been more than a few times when an electric kickboard suddenly appeared and I almost had an accident," and added, "Even though riding on sidewalks is prohibited, everyone rides on them, but none of that is being enforced, right?"

A said, "Pedestrians' safety is already being threatened, but no measures are being prepared for that, and only the usage criteria are being relaxed, which doesn't make sense. Honestly, accidents happen frequently even now, and unlicensed or underage users may lack basic knowledge of road traffic. Accidents could happen, and if they panic and flee the scene, it would lead to hit-and-run incidents. I think urgent measures are needed for these problems."

Experts advised strengthening enforcement standards and comprehensive preventive education.

Professor Kim Pil-su of Daelim University's Department of Automotive Engineering said on his YouTube channel last July, "Strict regulations on speed should be established and enforcement standards strengthened. Grounds for fines or penalties should also be prepared," and suggested, "The government needs to actively consider the lack of insurance systems when contact accidents occur."

Professor Kim emphasized, "Since electric kickboards can easily change direction, there is a high possibility of contact accidents with bicycles or pedestrians," and added, "Education on usage and accident awareness is also necessary, so I think a certificate of completion for at least two hours of education is needed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.