Suwon Establishes Infrastructure for Personal Mobility Device Activation

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City is undertaking various infrastructure improvements to create an environment where citizens can use personal mobility devices (PM) such as e-scooters and e-bikes more safely.

The city announced on the 28th that it plans to establish a PM pilot district centered on subway stations in Gwanggyo New Town by the end of this year and install booth-type dedicated parking lots.

This project, promoted to enable convenient and safe PM use, was selected for Gyeonggi Province's "PM Pilot District and Dedicated Parking Lot Project" and is being conducted with 240 million won in provincial funding support.

First, safe routes for PM use will be identified at stations such as Gwanggyo Central Station and Gwanggyo Station to inform users. By directing PM users to routes with relatively low vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the city expects to ensure safety for both users and pedestrians as PM safely connects from Gwanggyo Central Station to Kyonggi University, Ajou University, and nearby major enterprises.

Additionally, disconnected sections frequently used by nearby university students will be connected, and safety will be enhanced by installing PM guidance signs and speed limit markings throughout the area.

Dedicated parking spaces will be created around major stations and near Suwon Convention Center and nearby universities. Near Gwanggyo Central Station, booth-type parking facilities will be installed so that both shared and personal PM devices can use them.

Bicycle parking lines installed throughout the city will be refurbished to allow PM use as well, increasing utilization. Ground markings will be applied at 100 bicycle parking line locations to allow PM sharing, and 50 additional PM-exclusive parking lines will be added. Five hundred bicycle parking line locations will be repainted.

As PM-related regulations are strengthened with the implementation of the amended Road Traffic Act on the 13th of next month, the city plans to actively promote the amendments and accelerate the creation of a safety culture.

Under the amended act, only those 16 years or older with a driver's license for a motorized bicycle or higher are permitted to use PM, and must wear protective gear and operate lighting devices at night.

Riding with passengers and use by children under 13 are prohibited, and fines are imposed for drunk driving or riding on sidewalks, as with bicycles.

Accordingly, the city has produced promotional materials containing the strengthened usage regulations and penalties for distribution to each district administrative welfare center, district and city government civil service offices, and middle and high schools in the city, and has posted safety guideline banners.

The city will also continue to conduct visiting bicycle and PM safety education, meetings and consultations with dockless e-scooter rental operators.

In particular, the city plans to enforce the "Suwon Personal Mobility Device Usage and Safety Promotion Ordinance," which covers personal mobility device safety education, compliance matters for rental businesses, and regulations on designated parking areas, starting May 12th. This establishes the foundation to ensure both PM activation and citizen safety.

A city official stated, "Through this PM pilot district project, we will accumulate efficient management data for PM and use it to enable professional and systematic policy and facility improvements. Since proper user culture among citizens must precede the establishment of PM as a safe and convenient transportation method, we request the public's cooperation."