Incheon City announced on the 5th that it would implement a pilot project titled “Kickboard-Free Streets” in two school zone sections in Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, and one section on the Theme Street in Bupyeong-gu to prevent pedestrian safety accidents.
Based on surveys conducted by autonomous districts and traffic safety reviews from the Incheon Police Agency, Incheon City designated three out of seven candidate sections as no-go areas for electric scooters (personal mobility devices) in December of last year.
This action is the second of its kind in the nation, following Seoul, which first introduced the scooter regulation system in May of the previous year.
Incheon City is collaborating with related organizations on the installation of electric scooter prohibition safety signs, guidance, and enforcement measures, planning to commence operations as soon as preparations are complete.
Electric scooter accidents have significantly increased in recent years, sparking public demand for stricter management. According to the National Police Agency’s statistics, there were approximately 1,100 personal mobility device accidents in 2022, 2,300 in 2023, and 2,200 in 2024, with over 7,000 casualties reported over the past three years. Nearly half of these accidents involved unlicensed drivers, 44% of whom were teenagers.
As accidents multiplied due to inadequate management systems, related complaints surged, with nationwide municipal complaints rising from 100,000 cases in 2022 to 240,000 in 2024.