Hey everyone! It’s your local friend, Yeda.
So, you read my last post, you’ve downloaded the app, and you’re ready to rent a Ddareungi (Seoul Public Bike) for just $1.
If you’re new here, I walk through exactly how to rent Ddarungi step by step in my previous post.
That’s awesome!
You are about to experience the absolute best way to see my city.
But wait just a second before you unlock that bike.
Driving in a new country can be scary, right?
Cycling is kind of the same.
Seoul is a big, busy city—and we definitely have our own local road rules that tourists don’t always expect.
I’ve seen many visitors make avoidable mistakes— getting hit with surprise fees, getting yelled at by pedestrians, or worse, getting into accidents.
I want your trip to be perfect.
So, as your local friend, I’m going to share the three absolute most important rules you need to know to ride safely and smart in Korea.
Reading this first can help you avoid unnecessary stress or fees.
Rule #1: The “Right Side” Rule & The Sidewalk Dilemma
This might seem obvious if you’re visiting from abroad, but it’s crucial to remember: Korea drives on the right side of the road.
Therefore, you must cycle on the right side as well.
Never ride against traffic.
However, the tricky part about Seoul is knowing where exactly on the right to be.
1. The Ideal Scenario: Dedicated Bike Paths
Shared pedestrian and bicycle sidewalk in central Seoul with clear lane markings
These are your best friends.
They are usually painted red or marked clearly on the pavement with a bicycle symbol.
You’ll find fantastic ones along the Han River parks or major streams like Cheonggyecheon.
When these exist, you must use them.
2. The Common Scenario: Shared Sidewalks
In many downtown areas (like near Gwanghwamun or Myeongdong), you’ll see wide sidewalks that are split.
Half is for pedestrians, and half is for bikes.
Stick to your lane.
3. The Tricky Scenario: Regular Sidewalks
Here is the complicated reality of Seoul cycling.
Legally, bikes are supposed to be on the road, riding on the far right edge, next to cars.
However, Seoul traffic can be intense.
Many Korean drivers aren’t used to sharing the actual road with cyclists yet.
If you feel unsafe on the road, it is generally culturally accepted for casual cyclists (like Ddareungi riders) to use the sidewalk slowly.
But here is the golden rule: Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way on a sidewalk.
If you are on the sidewalk, you must ride slowly.
If it’s crowded, ring your bell gently.
If it’s too crowded, get off and walk the bike.
If you hit a pedestrian on a sidewalk, it will be considered 100% your fault legally.
Yeda’s Summary: Stay right. Use bike paths first.
If you must use the sidewalk for safety, ride slowly and yield to people walking.
Rule #2: The “Re-rental Hack” to Avoid Surprise Fees
This is the #1 mistake tourists make that costs them money.
Please read this carefully!
When you buy a “24-Hour Pass” or a “2-Hour Pass” on the Seoul Public Bike app, many people misunderstand what that means.
- What you think it means: “I can take a bike out and keep it with me for 24 hours.”
- What it ACTUALLY means: “I have a 24-hour window to use the service, BUT I must check in every 60 minutes (or 120 minutes depending on your pass).”
The Crucial Time Limit
The basic pass is a 60-minute pass.
This means you can only ride one specific bike for 59 minutes maximum.
If you keep that same bike for 61 minutes, you will automatically be charged an overtime fee (usually 200 KRW every 5 minutes) to your registered credit card.
I’ve had friends who ended up paying much more than expected because they didn’t know this rule.
The “Re-rental Hack” (How Locals Do It)
So, how do you ride all day?
It’s easy.
Before your 60 minutes are up, find any nearby Ddareungi(Seoul Public Bike) station.
Lock the bike to return it.
Wait 10 seconds for the “Return Complete” message.
Then, immediately open your app and rent that exact same bike again.
This resets your 60-minute timer back to zero.
You can do this hundreds of times within your 24-hour pass period for free.
Yeda’s Summary: Watch the clock! Return your bike before 1 hour passes, and immediately rent it again to avoid extra fees.
Rule #3: The Parking Trap – Only Use Designated Zones
In some cities around the world, dockless bikes mean you can leave them anywhere on the sidewalk.
Seoul is NOT like that.
Ddareungi(Seoul Public Bike) is a station-based system, even though the locks are on the bikes themselves.
You must return the bike to an official Ddareungi station area.
How do I find a station?
Open the Seoul Public Bike app.
The map is covered in little green bicycle icons with numbers showing how many bikes are there.
Those are the stations.
When you arrive at a station, you will usually see a rack or a designated painted area on the pavement.
Park your bike neatly next to the other bikes.
What happens if I just leave it outside a cafe?
Two bad things happen:
- The app might not process your return, meaning your timer keeps running, and you keep getting charged fees (see Rule #2).
- If you abandon a bike outside a designated zone, you can be hit with a penalty fee (around 20,000 KRW or more) or have your account suspended.
The GPS on these bikes is pretty accurate. Don’t risk it!
There are over 2,600 stations, so you are rarely far from one.
Yeda’s Summary: Never just abandon a bike. Always check the app map to find an official station to park and return your Ddareungi(Seoul Public Bike).
📍 Example Ddareungi Station Near Yeouido Hangang Park
FAQ: Common Questions Tourists Have About Cycling in Seoul
Don’t let the rules scare you!
Cycling here is amazing.
Here are answers to questions my foreign friends always ask me.
Q: Do I legally need to wear a helmet?
A: Korean law requires helmets for cyclists, BUT Ddareungi/shared bikes are currently treated as “recommended” not strictly enforced.
Ddareungi doesn’t provide them, and locals rarely wear for short rides. Still, for road riding, grab one at Daiso for safety!
My advice as a friend? Your safety is the most important thing.
If you plan on riding on roads alongside cars, I highly recommend buying a cheap, basic helmet at a large Daiso store here.
It’s better to be safe in a foreign country.
Q: Can I have a beer by the Han River and then ride home?
A: Absolutely NOT.
This is a very serious rule.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws in Korea apply to bicycles too.
Police do occasionally set up checkpoints near popular riverside parks in the evening.
If caught cycling drunk, you can face heavy fines, and it can cause serious issues with your visa status.
Just like driving a car, if you drink, don’t ride.
Q: What if I get into an accident?
A: If it’s a serious emergency involving injury, call 119 (Medical/Fire) or 112 (Police) immediately.
There are English-speaking operators available.
Ddareungi users are actually covered by a basic insurance policy provided by the city of Seoul during their ride.
If an accident occurs, you need to report it to the Ddareungi call center (1599-0120) so they can guide you on the insurance procedures.
You can find more info at here.
Ready to Ride Smart?
Okay, that was the serious stuff! I know it seems like a lot of rules, but once you are on the bike, it feels very natural.
Millions of us use Ddareungi every day safely.
Just stay alert, respect pedestrians, and remember the “Re-rental Hack” to save money.
Now that you know how to rent and the rules of the road, you need to know where to go!
If this is your first time cycling in Seoul, I recommend bookmarking this post for later.
In my next post, I’m going to share the exact route from my latest video—the most beautiful historical ride through the heart of Seoul.
👉 Next Post: The Perfect Bike Route: Seoul Station to Gwanghwamun & Palaces
Have fun and stay safe out there! If you have any questions about these rules, ask me in the comments below.
Your local friend,
Yeda