Lawmaker pushes bill to set national safety standards for public bikes

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Geon on Thursday introduced a bill that would require the national government to set uniform safety management standards for public bicycle systems.

Data obtained from the Ministry of Interior and Safety by Kim's office showed that 2,323 accidents involving public bicycles occurred nationwide from January 2024 through June this year. Of those, 237 were caused by mechanical failures or defects in the bicycles themselves.

Some accidents resulted directly from bicycle malfunctions. In Sejong, a rider's saddle suddenly dropped while in use, and in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, a chain came off during a ride.

Inspection schedules also vary widely by municipality. Yeonje-gu in Busan conducts daily checks on its public bicycles, while Gijang-gun in Busan inspects them twice a month and Dong-gu in Gwangju only once a year — with no common standard in place.

Public bicycle programs such as Seoul's "Ttareungi" and Daejeon's "Tashu" operate under Article 10-2 of the Act on the Promotion of Bicycle Use, which authorizes metropolitan and local government heads to run public bicycle services to improve convenience for riders. The law, however, covers only operations and sets no shared standard guidelines, leaving each local government to determine its own inspection schedule and methods.

The proposed amendment would allow the national government to establish safety management standards for public bicycles that local governments currently handle inconsistently. Specifically, the bill covers required safety equipment for public bicycles, regular and ad hoc safety inspections, the retrieval and repair of broken bicycles, and safety management standards that public bicycle operators must follow.

"Public bicycles like Ttareungi have long become a go-to mode of transportation for people across the country, so safety management standards should be set at the national level rather than left to each region's own inspection practices," Kim said.

"A small defect can lead to a serious accident for a rider," he added. "I will do my utmost to enact legislation and develop policies that reduce everyday risks for the public and create a safer riding environment."