New Law Targets Brake-less 'Fixie Bicycles' with Strict Penalties

Students riding fixie bicycles on the road. [Photo: Yonhap News]

Now, bicycles without brakes, including 'fixie bicycles,' will be subject to the bicycle law, and failure to equip them with braking devices may lead to penalties.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the revised 'Bicycle Utilization Promotion Act' was approved by the National Assembly on June 18 to protect public safety from the dangers posed by bicycles lacking braking systems.

This amendment is a legal measure aimed at preventing brake-less bicycles from becoming dangerous weapons on the road.

Fixie bicycles, which operate with a fixed gear where the pedals and rear wheel rotate together, have seen some users remove their braking systems for aesthetic or technical reasons, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

In fact, fixies without brakes have a stopping distance that is at least 5.5 times longer (at 10 km/h) and up to 13.5 times longer (at 20 km/h) than regular bicycles, making it nearly impossible to respond to sudden situations.

Under existing regulations, bicycles were defined as those 'equipped with braking devices,' meaning that fixie bicycles without brakes paradoxically fell outside the category of bicycles and were not subject to regulation. The recent amendment clarifies this definition and establishes a basis for enforcement.

The key points of the revised 'Bicycle Law' include expanding the definition of bicycles, reorganizing safety requirements, and strengthening penalties for violations. The definition now explicitly includes fixie bicycles without brakes, making them subject to regulation, and mandates the installation of braking devices.

Modifying a bicycle in a way that does not meet safety requirements can result in imprisonment for up to six months or fines of up to 5 million won. Riding a bicycle that does not meet safety standards on bike paths can incur a fine of up to 500,000 won.

However, exceptions are made for locations designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, such as velodromes, where 'brake-less bicycles' may still be operated.

Additionally, the scope of penalties for modifying bicycles in violation of safety standards will be expanded from just electric bicycles to all bicycles.

The Ministry plans to incorporate the main revisions of the 'Bicycle Law' into safety education and will enhance promotion, guidance, and enforcement in collaboration with the National Police Agency to ensure the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians on bike paths.

Minister Yoon Ho-jung stated, "This law revision is not merely about increasing regulations; it aims to establish minimum safety measures to protect our children and citizens from threats on bike paths. I urge everyone to recognize that removing braking devices poses a significant risk not only to themselves but also to others, and to actively cooperate in creating a safe cycling environment."

* This article has been translated by AI.