Korean Cycling Rules & Safety Tips

🚴‍♂️ Wait… What? That’s a Fine?!

Imagine this: You’re cruising along the Han River, enjoying the breeze, when you spot a crosswalk. Back home, you’d just roll right across it on your bike. So, you do the same here. Suddenly, a police officer waves you down. Uh-oh. Turns out, in Korea, that’s a no-go, and now you’ve got a fine in your hands. What just happened?!

Korea has some unique cycling regulations that might surprise you, so let’s break them down so you don’t end up in a similar situation!

1. Where Can You Ride? 🚦

• Dedicated Bike Lanes: Stick to these whenever possible. They’re designed for safer riding!
• Roads: No bike lanes? No problem. Just ride like a car (but stay to the right!).
• Sidewalks: Only allowed when there’s a sign saying so. Otherwise, pedestrians have the right of way, and you’ll need to slow down or dismount.

2. Essential Cycling Gear 🚴‍♂️

• Cycling Helmet: Technically mandatory, but you won’t see strict enforcement. Still, safety first!
• Bike Lights & Reflectors: If you’re riding at night, you NEED these—white in the front, red in the back.
• Bicycle Bell or Horn: Gotta have one to let people know you’re coming through!

3. Traffic Rules That Might Surprise You 📜

• Red Lights? Stop. Seriously. Just like cars, you gotta wait. Ignoring it could cost you around $45.
• Crosswalks: Unless there’s a bike symbol, hop off and walk your bike across.
• No Cycling Under the Influence: Yep, you read that right. If you’re caught cycling under the influence, you could be fined around $23.
• No Phones & No Earphones: Stay focused—no texting or jamming out with both ears covered while riding.

4. Watch Out for These Zones! 🏙️

• Pedestrian-heavy Areas: Some places require you to dismount and walk your bike.
• Public Transport & Bikes: Some subway lines allow bikes, but only during off-peak hours. Check the rules before hopping on!

5. What to Do in an Emergency 🚨

• Call 112 for police help.
• Dial 119 if you or someone else is injured.
• Exchange Contact Info: Just like a car accident, swap details with the other party if needed.