Public bicycle rental service in South Korea

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'Public bicycle rental service'
Public bicycle rental service in Ansan
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationMuin jajeongeo daeyeo shiseutem
McCune–ReischauerMuin chachŏnkŏ taeyŏ sisŭte*m

Public bicycle rental services are available in several cities across South Korea, each managed by their respective city governments. Bicycles can be used and paid for through an existing transportation card system or by mobile phone.[1]

Locations[edit]

A bicycle available for rent
Nat. Region Name
South Korea Ansan Pedalro System (페달로)
South Korea Seoul Ddareungi (따릉이)
South Korea Goyang Fifteen (피프틴)
South Korea Yeosu U - Bike (유 바이크)
South Korea Changwon Nubija (누비자)
South Korea Daejeon Tashu System (타슈)
South Korea Suwon Bandicle (반디클)
South Korea Danyang Tabore (타보레)

Usage[edit]

Bicycle rental equipment
A bicycle rental kiosk
Screen of bicycle rental kiosk

Any member of the public is able to use the system by either becoming a subscribing member or paying a one-off fee.[2]

System setups differ between cities. In some areas, users must purchase a special card in order to hire a bicycle. Once registered for membership, users are able to use the system for free. There are various types of membership, which are defined by length of time and location. However, bicycles are not required to be returned to the same hire stand from which they were removed. Rental facilities are located at many sites around South Korea where users can rent and return bikes. Members are also able to view their ride details on the system's website.

Typical features[edit]

Many South Korean localities manage their own public bicycle rental system. Each city's local government administers the program, resulting in some differences between jurisdictions.[3]

Coverage[edit]

Seoul[edit]

The city government in Seoul manages its own public bicycle rental system. 25 public bicycle rental stations in Yeouido and 18 stations in Sangam-dong are also provided by the Seoul government. Stations co-locate bicycle rentals, seats, and kiosks.[4]

Goyang[edit]

The Goyang city government manages its own public bicycle rental system named 'Fifteen' with 125 stations located across the metropolitan area. Users can either pay by credit card for one-off usage or purchase a membership card [5]

Ansan[edit]

In Ansan, the city government's system is called 'Pedalro' with 101 stations are located in the city. Users who are members can hire bicycles for free for up to two hours after which 1000 won (approximately US$1) is payable for every additional 30 minutes. Yearly membership is 30,000 won (approximately US$28.17), a half year membership is 20,000 won (approximately US$18.78), monthly membership is 4,000 won (approximately US$3.76) and daily membership is 1,000 won (approximately US$1). Cycling in this city is very popular due to its ease of use in crowded urban areas.[6] [7]

Ulsan[edit]

The Ulsan city bicycle system has become very popular. Shortly after its launch, over five hundred residents and three hundred tourists used the system on a single day. As a result, the city's government has announced that the scheme will be expanded to accommodate the extra demand.[8]

Public reception[edit]

The success of bicycle share systems in existing cities has prompted other governments, such as Sejong.,[9] to consider introducing their own programs. Authorities in cities with existing systems have also announced expansion plans to cater for growing demand.[10][11]

Other businesses have been established to cater for the surge in popularity of bicycles, boosting local economies. These include companies supplying protective gear and custom-designed bicycles.[12][13]

The environmental benefits of the system have been estimated at 25 trillion won, primarily from carbon emissions savings as a result of bicycle usage.[14]

Future development[edit]

A number of upgrades to the system have been announced, including the launch of a mobile app allowing users to rent & return system using smartphones.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Seoul Bike Manger. "Outline Of Bicycle Rental System". Seoul Bike. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  2. ^ "서울자전거 이용약관" [Terms & Conditions about seoul bike rental system]. 서울자전거 이용약관. 서울자전거(따릉이). 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  3. ^ 온라인뉴스팀. "서울 공공자전거 '따릉이'15일부터 운영…이용방법'스마트폰 앱 대여'". 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  4. ^ "서울자전거 사용법 및 스테이션 구성요소" [The instruction of Seoul public bike rental system and its facilities]. 삼성전기. SEM STORY. 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  5. ^ "고양시 공공자전거 피프틴 라ㅡ잎(Fifteen Life) 사용법" [Fifteen Life(bike rental system in Goyang city) official website]. Fifteen Life official website. Fifteen Life. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  6. ^ Park, Jung-woong (2013-08-22). "공공자전거 페달로··· 안산시민 쾌적한 발 '톡톡'" [Pedalro is being well received by Ansan citizen]. 2016-06-20. Moneyweek. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  7. ^ 안산시 공공자전거 가입안내
  8. ^ 조, 혜정 (2016-06-02). "중구 자전거대여소 인기…하루평균 500여명 이용" [Bike rental system in Ul-san shows tremendous popularity]. 2016-06-20. 울산매일 iusm.co.kr. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  9. ^ Kwan, Sunjae. "세종시, 공공자전거 '어울링' 확대 운영...대중교통 연계도 강화" [Sejong government expands public bike rental system]. 2016-03-28. Kyunghyang News. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  10. ^ Ok, Yujung. "서울시, 공공자전거 '따릉이' 확대 설치" [Seoul government expands public bike rental system]. 2016-03-21. KBS. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  11. ^ Lee, Jonghoon. "고양 공공임대자전거 서비스 확대" [Goyang government expands public bike rental service]. 2016-03-30. Incheonilbo. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  12. ^ SBSCNBC. "[터치&이슈] 대한민국 휩쓴 자전거 열풍…관련 산업도 '쑥쑥'". 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  13. ^ Kim, Kab Ho (2013-07-01). "씽씽 달리는 자전거주…공공자전거 확대로 수요 급증" [Stock prices of bicycle industry are increasing with public bike system]. 2016-06-20. 매일경제 MBN. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  14. ^ 이, 슬기. "University: "25 million won saved by cycling"". 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  15. ^ 온라인뉴스팀. "서울 공공자전거 '따릉이'15일부터 운영…이용방법'스마트폰 앱 대여'". 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2015-10-15.

External links[edit]