Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiwiduncan]

I cycled out to join some friends at the beach today (lovely day by the way - warm water, lots of friendly people, played water games with random Korean school kids etc). Anyway, while cycling along in the semi-countryside I was struck once again by how patient and conscientious most Korean drivers seem to be when dealing with cyclists on the road. They hung back and gave plenty of room when they passed, and one driver even did the friendly "pighting" wave and shout as he went by me.

For any people who are considering coming to Korea and wondering about bringing their bike - or for those already here who are considering cycling, I'd recommend it. From my experience Korean roads are not nearly as dangerous for cyclists as they are made out to be.

[MUOhio82]

I place my life in God's hands here every day when I cross a street. I flip the bird daily to some idiot who apparently thinks a green walking person on a light means "run them over, you get points for that". I come within kicking distance of a car that has cut me off every day.

I find the drivers here to be insane, rude, and inconsiderate of people walking. Which is sad, because I love to bike and do so back home, and think every day "thank GOD I left that bike at home, cause I'd be dead by now"

I wish I had your experience here on the road, but I haven't. This would be such an awesome place to bike if I wasn't so sure I'd be lying in a mangled and bloody heap somewhere..... where do you bike? I'd love to go there!

Cheers from the city

[Crockpot2001]

I rode and raced extensively in the states. We chose not to bring road bikes due to the drivers in Korea. The difference is that, in the US, a few are pissed and dispise that you are on their roads. Here, drivers are more likely to be drunk and/or have less experience with driving. I will state strongly that both of those points are assumptions so back off! I also feel that my chances for the legal system standing up for me here are nil.

Besides, the MTBing here is pretty darned good if you can keep straight where the trails go since none are marked and many start in some old woman's garden. I can also ride the safer roads or some of the many bike paths to get where I want to go.

[Cheonmunka]

Was it not because you were at the beach Duncan? I mean, I'm planning in my head an urban route to take me over to the next Gu. If I ride there I would have to cross two freeway offramps. When I do it in my car there is always swervy moments as cars come into the highway fast and slide into the inner lanes. I'm sure they wouldn't even see me let alone slow down and merge behind me.
So, I plan the sidewalks. Yet, there are none at that place so no particular way to get past the offramps nor over them.

[kiwiduncan]

I'm in Yeosu on the south coast and the countryside riding on the Yeosu peninsula has been fairly pleasant and safe. But even when I lived in Seoul for about 4 years the traffic never struck me as particularly intimidating. You just have to be alert, fast and assertive.

Crockpot2001 is right though - mountain biking here is a much nicer choice than being on the roads.

[teachergirltoo]

Back in the States and Canada I was an avid cyclist, but here I only ride on the sidewalks. About 30 minutes ago when I was out walking my dogs I got a good reminder why. At a controlled crosswalk a cyclist was crossing. An oncoming BONGO truck didn't even bother to slow down for the light. There was no excuse for that truck not to notice the cyclist - the cyclist was brightly dressed and in the middle of the road. If not for the quick reaction of the cyclist he would be a grease spot at this moment. Really be careful when cycling here.

[ernie]

op, are you sure you're in SOUTH korea?

the roads in korea are a deathtrap - i believe korea has one of the highest rates of accidents:kms driven in the world! drivers here are constantly racing from red light to red light, NEVER EVER signal, make reckless lane changes, are simultaneously smoking, talking on their phone, and watching tv, run red lights and crosswalks, and are actually taught NOT to use their mirrors or shoulder check - korean tunnel vision mentality at its best!

i really hope your OP is a joke!

[eamo]

I thought the OP was being sarcastic too............I've never seen much courtesy shown to cyclists is Seoul.

There's a reason why they ride on the sidewalk!!

[Lekker]

I'd rather drink paint thinner than ride a bike here, at least in Seoul. even on the designated bike paths you need to watch out, especially if you are jogging.

[Jeaves]

I love biking and cycling, and during my year in Seoul my MTB was my primary mode of transportation. 신촌 to 강변 for some 촉구? I'm there. To 강남 for language exchange? Kewl. Or hell, how bout one big long loop of the 한강?

HOWEVER... I would tell anyone that plans to use there bike in Seoul to be extremely careful at all times. And even then you will still get cut off, bumped, and even hit. Luckily, I was never hit hard or run over (아파겠다~), but I was knocked off of my bike a few times. Those were the times I'd jump up and give the driver a nice little piece of my mind complete with a "여! 눈이 없어?" Then I'd proceed to whip out the 휴대폰 and snap a pic of their license plate for good measure. Sure, I never did anything with those pics, but I got some pretty funny reactions out of people... (maybe I'm a bit of an ass... yes? no?)

Still, for all of the bumps and bruises I sustained, I enjoyed the riding around Seoul. And I have to agree with the OP that a good deal of people would yell 화이팅! and various other encouragement often... usually they were groups of 아저씨's knocking back their 5th bottle of soju, but hey, I took what I could get.

Oh yea... if you are one of those people that really hate getting starred at all the time then I'd recommend not riding around... cus you'll get those "OMG, is it a 외국인? Oh no.... it kind of looks like a 외국인 but its riding on some kind of... ah yes its a 자전거! 잠시만! 외국인은 자전거를 타 할 수 있어? (Wait! Do foreigners ride bikes?) Hmmm..." I even made a few little kids cry once just by riding by once =(

So just like everything else in Korea, there are ups and downs associated with it.

And really, it can be just as dangerous back in the States. I never got seriously injured riding in Korea, but I got jacked up by a Mustang the first week back home at the end of May. Today I cycled out to church and almost got run over in the parking lot by a Yukon Denali. So no matter where you are you gotta keep your eyes open and have your radar antennas turned on full blast. And always remember that just cus you can see them does not in any way mean that they can see you.

[kiwiduncan]

I'm just reporting things as I've experienced them. I agree that Korean driving habits are a bit dodgy, but some of you guys are exagerating things a bit. Korean drivers don't indicate as much as they should, but I do see them indicate from time to time, rather than "never ever". Admittedly, if I was driving I would rather be dealing with NZ or UK traffic as I think we do stick to the rules much better than they do in Korea. And on pedestrian crossings I've experienced more than a few arseholes just running through the redlights . But while cycling out in the Korean countryside here I've come to the conclusion that Korean drivers are more patient and considerate towards cyclists than NZ or UK drivers.

[Jeaves]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[kiwiduncan]

[Chaparrastique]