[Courtesy of Seoul City]
Ttareungi, also known as Seoul Bike, is one of the most successful biking rental services in South Korea. There are about 2,600 Seoul Bike stations located mainly near subway stations and populated areas as of 2021. More than 40,500 Seoul Bikes are in operation. Users can rent a public bike for 1,000 won ($0.81) per hour at designated stations. The public bicycle rental service was used 23.7 million times in 2021, up 24 percent from a year ago because of people choosing bicycles to travel short distances instead of using crowded public transport. In December 2021, the capital city also created a metaverse-based safety education center for teenage users of Ttareungi through Roblox, a metaverse platform mainly used by young people.
Seoul said in a statement on April 18 that the city will issue certificates to those who passed both written and practical tests. The safety education program is divided into a beginner course for children aged 9 to 13 and an intermediate course for those aged 13 or older. After passing the intermediate course, Seoulites can receive a 30 percent discount on daily rental tickets and a 15 percent discount on season tickets. Bicycle safety education is also provided in many elementary schools in Germany. Students learn the importance of wearing helmets and other rules related to cycling. They are required to complete their bicycle safety program before they graduate.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
