Intensive Crackdown on Disorderly Conduct by Motorcycles, Bicycles, and Kickboards: "Dangerous Two Wheels"

Police Take Firm Action Against Disorderly Traffic Behaviors

The police are taking a firm stance against disorderly conduct by two-wheeled vehicles in order to prevent traffic accidents.

The National Police Agency announced on May 28 that, starting from June 1 through July 31, it will conduct a two-month intensive crackdown on so-called "two-wheeled vehicles" such as motorcycles, bicycles, and personal mobility devices (PM), with the aim of ensuring pedestrian safety. During the summer, the rate of fatal traffic accidents increases by 44.2% compared to other seasons due to more outdoor activities and increased use of two-wheeled vehicles. The number of fatalities also rose, with deaths involving motorcycles up by 7.5% and those involving bicycles up by 13.3%.

A citizen is riding an electric bicycle on the sidewalk near Mapo Station in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

The police will analyze accident trends and focus their crackdown on accident-prone areas and children's protection zones, tailoring enforcement to local conditions. For motorcycles, enforcement will focus on everyday-use bikes, which carry a high risk of fatal accidents, and will also target riders aged 65 and older for not wearing helmets, which is directly linked to saving lives. The police will conduct on-site crackdowns on disorderly traffic behaviors such as riding on crosswalks or sidewalks, and will also carry out post-enforcement using equipment such as camcorders and unmarked patrol cars.

In addition, to prevent accidents involving teenagers, officers will provide guidance and enforcement against dangerous riding practices such as skidding or foot braking on "fixie" bicycles without brakes. They will also check for the presence of fake brakes.

In vulnerable locations such as children's protection zones, the police will carry out preventive activities targeting bicycle riders who ride on crosswalks. Bicycle riders are required to dismount and walk their bikes when crossing a crosswalk.

For PMs, the police will focus on violations such as not wearing helmets, exceeding passenger limits, and operating without a license, all of which are major risk factors.

Lee Seoyoung, acting director of the Traffic Safety Division at the National Police Agency, said, "When accidents occur, the bodies of riders of two-wheeled vehicles are fully exposed, making the risk of serious injury or death very high," and urged the public to drive safely.

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