Korean Job Discussion Forums

stephensessions · Joined: 11 Sep 2007

Hi guys,

I live in Changwon, and do a lot of cycling. We've got good roads, bicycle lanes, and a few trails. But I'm a cyclist, I ride fast and have no fear about riding in traffic. I can handle myself on a bike, it's the koreans I'm worried about.
Does anyone know the ACTUAL korean bicycle laws? I've done a few searches and most of the info I find is just hear-say, such as "I heard you can only ride on sidewalks" or "this is korea, there are no bicycle laws".
If anyone has a definite answer or know where I can find one, let me know! I'd like to have the law on my side when one of these taxis or buses hit me.

Cheers.

JungMin · Joined: 18 May 2005

Colorado · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

And it will be your fault because you don't understand the Korean bike riding culture.
Rolling Eyes

I also ride a lot and am watching this post with interest.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

I'm on my 3rd bike here and will be selling it soon and buying a better road bike - all I can say is just ride as carefully as possible, if you're used to city traffic then you'll manage ok, if not, then don't start here, Korea's not for the faint of heart when it comes to bike riding!

mostly the culture here overall is blame the victim so if you DO get hit, you better believe it's gonna be your fault regardless! so DON'T get hit, ok?!

fyi, I rode in Manhattan (lived there many years) so was used to crazy traffic before coming here.

Korea is GREAT for riding a bike - big wide sidewalks, lots of open places, river paths galore Laughing

Jeonju is a good place to ride, 2 rivers with paths, lots of open spaces, not hilly at all.

Seoul is ok, the Han has lots of paths but some areas are quite mountainous which can be real work, as opposed to just pleasure (hmm, I thought of another analogy for that maybe because it's late and I should be in bed but won't post it here).

motorbikes will be pretty respectful of you, and other bikers as well, cars you have to watch for especially taxis. there are idiots everywhere - I was biking in Vietnam and got burned by a stupid scooter one night (his exhaust pipe hit me when he tried to right turn over my left turn!)

mostly I wouldn't worry, if you are experienced you'll be fine. just enjoy the ride Cool

GerryTulip · Joined: 14 Nov 2007

I ran a red light whilst dodging a bus whilst smoking a cigarette. Turns out some of the middle school lads from my hagwon were waiting to cross the road and were very impressed by my display.

Just watch out for buses, taxies and any cars with neon lights underneath them! I enjoy my adrenalin fuelled 5 minute downhill ride to school, and whats the worst that could happen? Perhaps if I were in a coma Mr Kim might even go as far as to allow an unpaid sick day for me!

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

I read in some publication, that there is still an antiquated law on the books, to the effect that the cyclist is always in the right. If a cyclist is injured by a car then the blood money must flow.

One should bear in mind that Korea is only recently a motoring nation. Two generations ago the pedestrian and cyclist would reign.
So if the family had befallen hard times, grandpop would be pushed in front of a car in order to put things right. Pushed b/c mainly the critter couldn't get himself to take the final step.

May I take the opportunity of opining that Korean driving isn't so bad. Their bus drivers are like magicians. The occasional skipping of a red light can be ascribed to the normal pressures of rush hour.

Bearing in ming that I'm South African, now there's a real rodeo show.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

It's irrelevant what the laws are. Simple fact is in case you get hit and the police are involved, there's a very high probability you'll get a racist police officer who will somehow find a way to make it your fault.
Also the driver will talk to "witnesses" in Korean and convince them to side with him/her.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

"Hahaha....exactly. It's only a matter of when you'll get hit when riding on the road."...or sidewalk...or jogging path....or walking street only area (like in daegu) .... or ...

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I find Korean drivers very cautious when I'm out on the road on my MB. They often will wait a long time behind me for the best chance to pass me w/ the widest amount of berth. Either that or they're checking out my butt... Very Happy

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I have yet to hear of any bicycle laws and I asked on this forum and to Koreans I know over a year ago.

Even if there are laws, they are not enforced.

The only thing I know you can't do legally is ride on the Cheonggyechon path. I still do that when there's no foot traffic. What's the fine gonna be? Traffic violations in a car yield super low fines here. I'd gladly pay 25,000 won to ride on the Cheonggyechon and watch a cop on foot try to catch me.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:

"I'd gladly pay 25,000 won to ride on the Cheonggyechon and watch a cop on foot try to catch me."

He'd probably be on a motorcyle.... Very Happy

matesol · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

I have one of these bad boys:

http://www.greenspeed.com.au/

More fun than you'll ever have on a bicycle. Anyway, I was riding one day and the Korean police stopped their car and got out to talk to me. I was wondering if they wanted to tell me to wear a helmet or something. They just though my trike was really cool and asked me a bunch of questions about it. One cop even got on and took it for a spin with my permission.

I'm pretty sure there are no bike laws in Korea.

I'm in Canada now and so much happier that Korea is a closed chapter of my life.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

That looks way cool, but I'd be afraid of being too low to the ground here. It's hard enough to see a 230 pound guy on an american racing bike. Rolling Eyes

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I'm not sure about Korea, but I have been told by a person who should know that in most countries the bicycle should be given the same rights and space as a car. Meaning, you don't have to ride in the gutter. You have the right to ride in the centre of the lane and cars should go around you when it's safe to overtake. Just as if you were a car.

Of course, that doesn't even get practiced in my home country. Korea?!! forget it!!

Just, please, don't be one of those ass-hat cyclists who impatiently ring their bell at pedestrians on the sidewalk. The sidewalk is our piece of turf! You cyclists make way for us!!

poet13 · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:07 am Post subject:

In my city, the sidewalks are about 3 meters wide. 2/3 is green and has a bicycle symbol. The 1/3 is red. They are separated by a white line.

Not exactly sure which part belongs to the ubiquitous scooters though as I've never seen a scooter symbol.