Over 98% of Seoul residents support expansion of e-scooter ban zones

Men walk in a no e-scooter zone in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Monday. Newsis

More than 98 percent of Seoul residents have expressed support for expanding the city’s “no e-scooter zone” policy, reflecting rising concerns over the safety risks posed by personal mobility devices, according to data released Monday.

Data from a recent pilot program, which designated two city areas as “no e-scooter zones,” found improvements in pedestrian safety and the overall walking environment.

Nearly all respondents ― 98.4 percent ― said they would support the idea of expanding such zones throughout the capital. In contrast, only 2.6 percent said that the restrictions made their daily activities less convenient.

Older residents, particularly those aged 40 and above, reported noticeably higher levels of satisfaction and positive impact from the e-scooter ban, as they were statistically more likely to be walking rather than riding, compared to the younger age group of 18 to 30. As Seoul’s population ages, the need for pedestrian-friendly policies is expected to rise.

Electric scooters have rapidly transformed Seoul’s urban landscape since their introduction around 2018, becoming a popular "last-mile" solution for bridging the distance between subway stations and final destinations, especially among younger commuters.

Despite their convenience, the e-scooter surge has created significant safety and obstruction issues.

Since May, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has banned e-scooters and similar personal mobility devices from Hongdae Red Road (1.3 kilometers) and the Banpo “hagwon," or cram school, area (2.3 km) between noon and 11 p.m. In just six months, 69.2 percent of surveyed residents reported a safer walking environment, while 77.2 percent noted a significant drop in collision risks. Meanwhile, 80.4 percent observed fewer abandoned scooters cluttering sidewalks.

More than 53 percent of respondents said they became aware of the special zones through ads, signs and the media.

Violators caught riding restricted e-scooters in no-go zones are subject to a fine of 30,000 won and 15 penalty points; stiffer penalties ― up to 60,000 won ($42) and 30 penalty points ― apply within child protection zones. But for now, police are offering a grace period as the city policy is still in a trial period.

The city government said it plans to work with police next month to enhance enforcement and discuss expanding the scooter bans to crowded and high-risk areas.

A woman rides an e-scooter without wearing protective gear in Seoul, in this Sept. 25, 2022, file photo. Newsis

The push for more restrictions comes as a rise in e-scooter-related incidents in recent years. According to data from the state-run Korea Road Traffic Authority, the number of accidents has increased more than tenfold over the past several years ― from 225 in 2018 to 2,232 in 2024, including several high-profile cases resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities.

In June 2024, a high school student riding an e-scooter struck two pedestrians from behind in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, which resulted in the death of one of the victims in her 60s. Last week, a judge handed the teenager a minimum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of 200,000 won on charges of driving without a license, among others.

On Monday, a 45-year-old man was convicted of similar charges and fined 2 million won, after seriously injuring a 64-year-old woman with his e-scooter in Incheon on Jan. 20.

“The results of the citizen perception survey show that the indicators related to pedestrian safety have improved, thanks to the restrictions on e-scooter transit. Accordingly, we will create a safer pedestrian environment by systematically managing e-scooter and pedestrian interactions and establishing operational guidelines to ensure safety,” said Yeo Jang-kwon, chief of the city government's transportation division.