South Korea to Fine Riders of Brakeless 'Fixie' Bicycles Up to $360

Riding a 'fixie' bicycle without brakes on South Korean bike paths will soon come with a hefty fine of up to 500,000 won (approximately $360 USD). The National Fire Agency announced on March 19 that an amendment to the Bicycle Act, passed by the National Assembly on March 18, now provides the legal basis to regulate these brakeless bicycles. Modifications to fixies or their use can result in up to six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to 5 million won.

The amendment expands safety requirements, previously applied only to electric bicycles, to all bicycles. This means any modification that compromises safety standards can lead to severe penalties. The law specifically targets fixie bicycles, which use a fixed-gear system where the pedals and rear wheel rotate together. Some riders remove brakes for aesthetic reasons or to perform stunts, raising significant safety concerns.

Experts highlight the danger, noting that unbraked fixies can have stopping distances up to 13.5 times longer than regular bicycles at 20 km/h. This makes sudden stops to avoid pedestrians or vehicles nearly impossible. Previously, the law defined bicycles as having brakes, creating a loophole where brakeless fixies were technically outside the legal definition of a bicycle, thus falling into a regulatory blind spot.

The new law clearly includes unbraked fixies within the definition of bicycles, making them subject to regulation. It mandates that all bicycles must be equipped with brakes and allows for penalties or restrictions on bike paths for non-compliant or modified bicycles. Exceptions will be made for specific venues like velodromes, as determined by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The agency plans to incorporate these changes into bicycle safety education and collaborate with the police to enhance public awareness and enforcement of bike path safety rules.