Launched amid much skepticism in October 2015 with some 2,000 bicycles at 150 locations, the app, also known as "Ddareungi," has grown to around 37,500 bikes across more than 3,000 stations in the city.
According to the city government, during weekdays, more than half of users commuted with the service during morning and evening rush hours, while on weekends, about 41.9 percent used it in the afternoon, likely for leisure activities.
About 8.5 percent of weekday users and 10.5 percent of weekend users relied on the service during late-night hours after midnight, suggesting it was often their most accessible option when public transportation was not available.
The number of foreign users and tourists has also been on the rise, with their rides reaching 50,599 in the first nine months of this year, a 2.5-fold increase from the same period in 2019.
As part of efforts to further boost the service, a new three-hour rental option was added this week to the existing one- and two-hour time limits, allowing users to enjoy longer rides without the hassle of frequent returns.
To ease congestion, users are encouraged to rent and return bikes in less crowded areas, earning extra mileage points as a reward.
The city government has partnered with around 80 local bike shops to enhance maintenance and ensure riders' safety.
"Over the past decade, we have strived to provide a safer and more convenient public bike service for Seoulites, and we will continue those efforts," said Yeh Jang-gwon, a city official.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
