SEOUL — The National Police Agency of South Korea has announced a major crackdown on fixie bikes, a popular type of bicycle among teenagers, citing a rise in related traffic accidents. The new enforcement campaign aims to address the legal gray area surrounding these bikes, which lack traditional brakes and pose a significant safety risk.
What Is a Fixie Bike?
A fixie, or fixed-gear bicycle, is a type of bike that has no freewheel mechanism. This means that the pedals are directly connected to the rear wheel, so if the wheels are moving, the pedals are too. While many fixies can be equipped with a hand brake, many riders choose to remove them for a minimalist aesthetic, instead relying on a technique called skidding to slow down by resisting the motion of the pedals.
Enforcement and Legal Basis
The police have officially classified fixie bikes as vehicles, allowing them to enforce Article 48 of the Road Traffic Act, which mandates that all drivers must operate their vehicles with proper braking devices. This reclassification closes a long-standing loophole that had previously made it difficult to regulate fixies.
The crackdown will be particularly focused on school routes during the new academic year. While most traffic violations lead to fines, the police plan to take a different approach with minors.
For minors under 18, police will first issue a warning and notify their parents.
If the parents fail to take appropriate action after repeated warnings, they could face charges of child neglect under the Child Welfare Act.
Authorities are also extending the crackdown to include adult cycling clubs and hobbyists, with targeted enforcement planned for bike paths on weekends and holidays.
The Rise in Accidents
The decision to strengthen enforcement comes amid a notable increase in bicycle-related accidents involving minors. According to police data, accidents involving individuals under 18 have been on the rise over the past three years. In 2024, they accounted for over 26% of all bicycle accidents, a significant jump from 18% and 19% in the previous two years.
Han Chang-hoon, the head of the National Police Agency's Traffic Division, emphasized the severe dangers posed by fixie bikes and urged both parents and schools to cooperate with the police to ensure the safety of young cyclists.
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