Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NYC_Gal]

Hi all. My KT just gave me some spiel (sent from the administration office) about how, when I'm riding my bike and get to a crosswalk, I'm supposed to get off and walk it across. That it's a RULE.

I'm sure I should have just thanked her and ignored the advice, but I was in a mood and told her that that's ridiculous, that I wear a helmet (which is rare here), and that how I get around when not on the clock is my own business. Also, that I've never seen ANYONE here get off of their bike to cross the street. It's stupid. Oops. I know. Many of us have those days when something stupid sets us off.

Still, does anyone know these "laws" about Korean bicyclists? Not that Koreans tend to follow traffic laws, but I'm curious.

[v88]

What one Korean thinks is a law another thinks is only a suggestion.

Notice how many people actually stop for red lights?

I asked a few Koreans what the "Biboho" was at intersections. I didn't get the same answer from a single person, and supposedly that is a law.

You cannot turn left on a green light in Korea but if there is a Biboho sign you can (provided you don't cut anyone off). Yet most Korean drivers have no clue what it means. The government doesn't do a very good job of informing it's people about the laws of the land, nor enforcing them.

I have yet to see a police officer enforce this...or any other moving violation for that matter.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[NYC_Gal]

Oh, I'm aware of the lax attitude when it comes to enforcing laws. I'm just curious as to whether or not this is, in fact, a law.

[Bibbitybop]

Given the fact I ride a motorcycle across crosswalks in front of police and have never gotten a second look, I assure you'll be fine.

[brento1138]

Hey...

Yeah, annoying that the co-teacher interferes like that. But here's what I know and what don't know.

Firstly, I don't know the laws in Korea, but I'm absolutely sure this is the law in Canada (Vancouver). People are supposed to walk their bikes across the crosswalk for the reason I'll describe below:

Last year I was driving in a bit of a crowded area, in Vancouver, and two people on bicycles came out of nowhere in front of me (on a crosswalk). I almost nailed them, but quickly slammed the brakes. They were OK, but I saw a sign that they should have noticed which tells them to dismount from their bikes and walk across. I think that law exists because bicycles move too quickly, and it's easy for someone in a car to miss them like I did. I'm so happy I slammed the brakes in time...

Anyways, be safe!

edit: oh, I should add that even though I almost nailed two people doing the whole bike-across-the-crosswalk thing, if I were to be biking, I would probably not dismount, but check first if a car was coming... probably 99% of the time I'd ride across!

[NYC_Gal]

I know that I'm fine. I've done it countless times in front of the police. I'm looking for the laws to argue with my coteacher. It's gotten to the point where being submissive is long gone, and I want proof. It's about semantics now.

[Caffeinated]

I see folks ride their bicycles across crosswalks all the time. Much worse is seeing motorcycles and scooters leave the road then go on the sidewalk to pass cars. Sounds like your co-teacher is suppressing something and going passive-aggressive on you for this minor matter.

[NYC_Gal]

I'm always careful on crosswalks, but I'm not going to get off my bike at every intersection. That's ridiculous.

The principal just came in with a government print out. I told her to email him "NYC_Gal says thank you for the advice," but she had to have him come by with documentation. I'm more annoyed that the school is trying to tell me what to do outside of school hours. There was a memo about bike laws that went out to all teachers today, but I'm the ONLY one who rides a bike to work. Sure, it may have also been for them to tell the students, but my KT made a fuss about it to me. I wasn't in the mood for it.

Apparently it is a law, but nobody follows it. I'm not going to slow down my commute to be the only law-abiding cyclist in Korea. From now on I'll just say thanks and continue doing as I do.

[Caffeinated]

I promised myself that I'd follow the SNIP rule for any useless advice I receive this second semester.

S = Smile
N = Nod
I = Ignore
P = Proceed

[NYC_Gal]

I know. I usually do live by SNIP. I was in a mood today and hadn't taken a chill pill.

[Jake_Kim]

'Dismounting at intersection' is coming from the latest amendment to Road Traffic Law, Article 13-2 subarticle 6, effective June 30. This is to declare that only those who dismount when crossing an intersection will be regarded as pedestrians, of which distinction from 'driver/rider' status becomes significant regarding prosecution, litigation, and insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

There's no way to tell whether they were genuinely benevolent or condescending, but they did what those on permanent govt payroll are supposed to do - to make commandments out of every single memorandum coming down from the top. Now that they've 'sincerely' notified you, they can say they're off the hook as an employer/legal guarantor in the unlikely event, if that's how your status is set up.

[thegadfly]

...so don't ride your bike through the zebra at an intersection -- ride across the road with the flow of vehicular traffic...problem solved

[NYC_Gal]

Thanks, Jake. It makes more sense when things are explained, rather than "You don't ride at the cross. You must do running and getting off your bike."

I told her I'd cross where there aren't zebra crossings. She said "You're not permit!"

I'll continue doing what I've been doing.

This is the same coteacher who, my first year, reprimanded me for jaywalking when there were NO cars, I had to have a wee, and the bathroom was across the street. She said "Korean people don't doing this!" and immediately after saying this, some ajossi jaywalked. I told her that he must be Chinese

[chicken_punch]

Last year I was asked to sign a form saying I wouldn't ride a motorcycle or scooter to school. I started bicycling a couple months ago, hopefully they won't count that.

As for crossing, I ride in the street so it's a non-issue. Just follow the scooter's lead.

[NYC_Gal]

I'm not going to change my riding habits. It's just absurd. I ride in the street as well, so when do I ever cross at a crosswalk?!