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| Ttareungyi bicycles of Seoul City's bike-sharing system are parked near City Hall Station in central Seoul in this September 2018 photo. Korea Times file |
By Bahk Eun-ji
Seoul City plans to introduce a bicycle safety certification system from the end of this month in an attempt to reduce bike-related accidents. Under the system those who receive the certification will be eligible to receive benefits such as discounts for its public bike-sharing service, Ttareungyi.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), Thursday, applicants who wish to acquire certification need to take written and practical riding tests similar to when applying for a driving license. It added that the questions for the test are based on the city's newly set standards for bicycle safety, adopted this year.
The written test evaluates understanding of bicycles, traffic laws, hand signals, bicycle structure, safety checklists before riding a bike, riding theory, and general common sense. The practical component consists of a functional test that evaluates a rider's ability to make safe starts and stops, perform clear hand signals, steer a bicycle and make emergency stops.
Considering the learning and physical abilities of test takers, the operation is divided into two categories, those aged from 9 to 12, and those 13 or older.
Applicants who are old enough to register for the city's bike-share system and who successfully receive the certification will be eligible for a partial discount when using the service for the next two years.
The discount rate will be finalized this month after collecting opinions from city residents and the city council and it will take effect from August.
The bicycle safety certification will be valid for two years with an option for renewal. If a rider's certificate expires without renewal the holder will be required to take the test again.
