"Stop Electric Scooters on the Road to India"… Incheon City Council Establishes Legal Basis for 'Prohibited Areas'

Incheon City has established a legal basis to directly prohibit traffic in specific areas to prevent the indiscriminate operation of personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric scooters, which have threatened citizens' right to walk.

On the 2nd, the Incheon Metropolitan Council announced that the amendment to the ordinance for the safety enhancement of personal mobility device use, proposed by Councillor Lee Kang-gu (People Power Party·Yeonsu 5), was passed in its original form during the review by the Construction and Transportation Committee of the 306th extraordinary session.

While previous ordinances focused on the 'activation' and 'convenience' of personal mobility devices, this amendment is significant in that it prioritises 'pedestrian safety' as the foremost value and establishes a practical regulatory basis.

The core of the amendment is the establishment of provisions regarding 'the operation of roads where personal mobility devices are prohibited for pedestrian safety' in Article 5 of the ordinance. This gives the Mayor of Incheon the administrative authority to designate and operate areas such as busy districts or school zones where pedestrian safety is a serious concern as prohibited areas.

Councillor Lee Kang-gu, who is currently leading a 'movement to eliminate electric scooters' with local parents, emphasised the urgency of the situation. He stated, "Recently, there was a tragedy where a mother in her 30s, trying to protect her two-year-old daughter in Songdo, fell into a critical condition due to an electric scooter accident," and explained the background of the proposal, saying, "In a situation where the hidden dangers behind convenience threaten citizens' daily lives, the immediate designation of 'prohibited areas' is the minimum defensive line to protect citizen safety."

Once the ordinance is implemented, proactive traffic restrictions in densely populated areas with high accident risks will be possible, and it is expected that chronic safety accidents caused by the mixing of pedestrians and mobility devices will decrease.

Councillor Lee stated, "This amendment is an essential measure to create a traffic culture where pedestrians and users can coexist safely," and added, "I will closely consult with the executive body to ensure that the designation of prohibited areas is effectively implemented so that Incheon can truly become a 'pedestrian-friendly city.'"