South Korea criminalizes brake-less 'pixie bikes' after fatal accident

South Korea has enacted a new law to curb the dangerous trend of riding fixed-gear bicycles, commonly called 'pixie bikes,' without brakes. The legislation, passed by the National Assembly on May 18, imposes penalties for modifying or using these bikes. Offenders can face up to six months in prison or fines exceeding 5 million won (approximately $3,600 USD). Riding a brake-less bicycle on a designated bike path will result in a fine of up to 500,000 won ($360 USD).

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the law's passage on May 19, stating its purpose is to prevent accidents associated with pixie bikes. These bikes, characterized by their fixed-gear system where the pedals and rear wheel rotate together, have become popular among some youth. However, some riders remove the brakes for aesthetic reasons or to perform tricks, posing significant safety risks.

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Individuals caught riding these modified bikes on bike paths face fines, while those who modify or use them can receive jail time or monetary penalties.

The need for this legislation was tragically highlighted by a fatal accident in July of the previous year. A middle school student riding a pixie bike without brakes died after colliding with an air conditioning unit on a downhill road in Seoul's Gwanak-gu district. A safety survey on pixie bikes released in March by the Korea Consumer Agency also confirmed these safety concerns, revealing issues identified during their investigation.

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The legislation aims to prevent accidents, following a fatal incident involving a student riding a brake-less pixie bike.