Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Seoul moves to curb dangerous brakeless bikes after teen fatality
Fixie bicycle / Korea Times file
By Kim Hyun-bin
Seoul city officials are cracking down on the rising use of brakeless “fixie” bicycles among teenagers after a recent fatal accident heightened concerns over public safety.
The bicycles, originally designed for track racing, feature wheels directly coupled with the pedals and do not always have conventional brake systems installed. Once popular only among competitive cyclists, they have gained popularity among middle and high school students, alarming parents and authorities. The bikes are often dubbed “time bombs on the road” because both riders and pedestrians face serious risk of collisions.
The city government said Sunday that it has asked secondhand trading platforms to block sales of fixies that have had braking systems removed. A letter sent late last month urged companies to flag and automatically delete listings containing keywords such as “brake removed.” Sellers are now required to prove their bicycles are equipped with braking systems by submitting photos, and repeat violators will be banned from the platforms.
One marketplace began sending warnings to users attempting to list bikes under the word “fixie,” while another posted notices reminding customers that brake systems are mandatory under traffic safety rules.
Since May, fixie-related content has been added to citywide education programs on bicycles and personal mobility devices. The new material outlines the bikes’ design, legal restrictions on public roads, heightened accident risks and the lack of insurance coverage in the event of crashes.
Starting this Thursday, a five-week safety campaign program will be conducted by the city on the use of fixed-gear bicycles. Banners and handouts highlighting the dangers of brakeless fixed-gear bicycles will be displayed and distributed near middle and high schools, major private academy districts, subway stations and Hangang Park.
Seoul officials stressed that legal revisions are needed to address the problem more thoroughly. Last month, the city proposed amending traffic regulations to explicitly require braking devices on all bicycles, including fixies, making violators subject to penalties.
“The removal of braking devices is a clear safety threat,” a city official said. “We believe stronger legal grounds are necessary to hold violators accountable.”
The education ministry has also been urged to encourage schools to incorporate the lessons into their own safety classes. Teachers have also been distributing notices to parents through school newsletters and showing bicycle safety training videos as part of broader efforts to reach students directly.