The Korean Commission on Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights announced on October 26 that it will conduct a nationwide survey to address pedestrian inconveniences and safety issues arising from the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric scooters and bicycles. The survey aims to gather public input on measures to create a safer walking environment.
According to the Commission, personal mobility devices have become a convenient mode of transportation for short distances. However, instances of these devices being left unattended on sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, subway entrances, and tactile paving have led to pedestrian discomfort and increased safety risks. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those with strollers, face greater challenges and dangers when PMDs obstruct pathways or operate in crowded pedestrian areas.
Currently, safety measures related to personal mobility devices focus primarily on enforcing user compliance regarding unlicensed driving, lack of protective gear, and exceeding passenger limits. However, ongoing operational and management issues, such as unauthorized parking, PMD use in crowded areas, delays in device retrieval, and insufficient parking spaces, highlight the urgent need for regulatory improvements centered on pedestrian safety.
Through this survey, the Commission plans to collect opinions on experiences of inconvenience or danger caused by PMDs while walking, locations affected by unauthorized parking, appropriate handling of abandoned devices, preventive measures against unauthorized parking, and management strategies for pedestrian-heavy areas. The survey will be conducted via the public opinion platform from October 26 to November 4, and the results will serve as foundational data for improving safety management regulations for personal mobility devices.
Oh Jeong-taek, Director of the Commission's Policy Improvement Bureau, stated, "Personal mobility devices are convenient means of transportation, but they must be used in a way that does not infringe on pedestrian safety and rights. We encourage the public to participate in this survey based on their real experiences and opinions to help create a safer walking environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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