Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, stated on October 7 that "recklessly abandoned personal mobility devices and shared e-bikes pose a threat to public safety," emphasizing that "pedestrian safety is the top priority."
The mayor announced plans to expand immediate towing of personal mobility devices (PMs) that are illegally parked on sidewalks and bike paths. This move aims to ensure the convenience of citizens while actively addressing the issue of abandoned devices that infringe on pedestrian rights and safety.
Recently, the mayor designated the Ansan Cultural Plaza area as an immediate towing zone, implementing a pilot program to regulate and tow PMs parked outside designated areas. In July, the towing zone was expanded to cover the entire commercial area of Gojan New Town.
Starting in October, additional safety officers will be deployed to conduct daytime and nighttime enforcement in pairs, directly towing abandoned devices on-site.
The towing areas will also expand from the existing Gojan New Town to include high-traffic locations such as Seonbu Plaza, Handeaep Station commercial area, and Saemgol-ro, where complaints about PMs are concentrated.
Key enforcement targets include the center of sidewalks and bike paths, areas around crosswalks, tactile paving blocks, and elevator entrances.
Particularly, PMs abandoned in locations that obstruct pedestrian and vulnerable traffic movements will be prioritized for towing, with a towing fee of 30,000 won imposed on each device.
The mayor has held regular meetings with local PM operators to promote the preemptive relocation and organization of abandoned devices and the establishment of designated parking areas.
However, complaints related to abandoned PMs have more than doubled in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, prompting the decision to expand immediate towing to ensure pedestrian safety and access.
The mayor is also working on expanding the management system for personal mobility devices from electric scooters to include shared e-bikes. To this end, the city plans to collaborate with the city council to amend relevant ordinances and establish a legal framework for managing and regulating shared e-bikes.
Currently, approximately 4,000 electric scooters and 6,000 shared e-bikes operate in the Ansan area, with a recent increase in complaints regarding the illegal parking of shared e-bikes.
Citizens have expressed the need for a practical management system that secures pedestrian spaces while considering user convenience and safety. They emphasize that when devices are abandoned in the middle of sidewalks, near crosswalks, tactile paving blocks, and entrances, it can directly hinder the mobility of pedestrians, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, highlighting the necessity for a more systematic management approach.
Mayor Lee added, "While ensuring the convenience of citizens' mobility, we will strengthen enforcement to prevent infringement on pedestrian safety and continue to collaborate with operators to create a proper usage environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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