Personal mobility devices prohibited daily from noon to 11 p.m. in high-pedestrian zone near Dogok Elementary School
Gangnam-gu will designate a 1,630-square-meter stretch of road around Dogok Elementary School in the Daechi-dong hagwon district as a "scooter-free street" starting Sept. 30.
The "scooter-free street" designation bans personal mobility devices from the road. Prohibited vehicles under the Road Traffic Act — Article 2, Clause 19-2, and its enforcement rules on personal mobility device standards — include electric kickscooters, self-balancing two-wheeled electric vehicles, and bicycles powered solely by an electric motor. The ban will run from noon to 11 p.m. daily, a schedule built around hagwon operating hours and student commute times to avoid overly restricting use.
The district office has held ongoing consultations with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, police and other relevant agencies to address pedestrian safety concerns in the Daechi-dong hagwon area. The "scooter-free street" will officially launch Sept. 30 following a traffic safety review by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Ahead of the launch, the district plans to complete installation of "personal mobility device prohibited" traffic signs and related facilities along the designated stretch. It will also conduct joint on-site publicity campaigns with the city and use a range of channels — including nearby schools, hagwon and the district office website — to inform residents and users of the new rules in advance.
After the measure takes effect, the local police precinct will patrol the restricted road and issue warnings to violators. Riders caught operating an electric kickscooter in the zone face a fine of 30,000 won ($22) and 15 demerit points; violations in school zones carry a fine of 60,000 won and 30 demerit points.
To further prevent electric kickscooters from entering the restricted zone, devices found illegally parked or stopped along the stretch and surrounding areas will be towed during patrols. Kickscooters left on sidewalks or in no-parking zones may be reported and towed immediately as illegally parked vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. Towing incurs a fee of 40,000 won plus a storage charge of 700 won per 30 minutes, and riders must return their devices to designated parking areas or other permitted locations.
The district also plans to monitor the effects of the scooter-free zone around Dogok Elementary School and track improvements to the pedestrian environment. Working with the city, police and other agencies, it aims to prevent collision risks posed by electric kickscooters and foster a pedestrian-centered traffic culture.
"The Daechi-dong hagwon district is a space where countless children and teenagers commute every day, so pedestrian safety must come first," Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said. "Starting with this scooter-free street, we will do our utmost to reduce inconvenience for residents and the risk of accidents, and to create a walking environment where people can feel safe."
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