Fine of Up to 5 Million Won for Removing Bicycle Brakes... Crackdown on "Fixies"

Bicycle Act Amendment Passed in National Assembly Plenary Session
Strict Penalties for Removing Brakes From "Fixie" Bicycles
Illegal Modifications Face Fines of Up to 5 Million Won
Riding on Roads Without Brakes May Incur Fines of Up to 500,000 Won

From now on, anyone who removes the braking device from a bicycle will face fines of up to 5 million won. Fixed-gear bicycles (also known as "fixies") without brakes are the main target of this regulation, and simply riding one on the road will result in a fine of up to 500,000 won.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on June 19 that the National Assembly passed the “Bicycle Use Promotion Act” in its plenary session on June 18, which includes these key provisions.

Teenagers riding fixed-gear bicycles. YouTube

This amendment was pursued to prevent bicycles without brakes from becoming dangerous weapons on the road. Fixed-gear bicycles are bicycles with a drivetrain that directly connects the pedals and rear wheel, causing them to rotate together. Some users have removed the braking devices for aesthetic reasons or to demonstrate technical skills, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, the braking distance of a fixie without brakes is at least 5.5 times longer than that of a regular bicycle at 10 km/h and up to 13.5 times longer at 20 km/h, making it virtually impossible to respond to sudden situations.

The core of the amendment is to expand the definition of bicycles, revise safety requirements, and strengthen penalties for violations. First, the definition of a bicycle now explicitly includes fixies without brakes, making them subject to regulation. The law also specifically adds the obligation to equip bicycles with braking devices. The safety requirements stipulate that both the front and rear wheels must be equipped with braking devices, and prohibit illegal modifications such as their removal. Illegal modification of a bicycle may result in imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to 5 million won. Riding a bicycle without brakes on a bicycle road will incur a fine of up to 500,000 won. However, exceptions are made for certain locations specified by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, such as velodromes, where bicycles without braking devices may be used.

The Ministry plans to include the details of this amendment in safety education and, together with the National Police Agency, will strengthen publicity, guidance, and enforcement to ensure the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians on bicycle roads.

Minister Hojoong Yoon emphasized, “This amendment is not simply about increasing regulation, but about establishing minimum safety measures to prevent our children and citizens from having their lives put at risk on bicycle roads. I urge everyone to recognize that arbitrarily removing braking devices can pose a serious threat not only to oneself but also to others, and to actively cooperate in creating a safer cycling environment.”

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