The 2050 Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth (Co-Chairs: Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Vice President of KAIST Kim Sang-hyeop, hereinafter referred to as the “Carbon Neutrality Commission”) and the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT, Minister Park Sangwoo), and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS, Minister Lee Sang-min) jointly held the ‘Policy Consultation Meeting on Bicycle Promotion’ at the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) on April 15, 2024 (Monday) at 2:30 p.m.

At this meeting, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, KEITI, Kakao Mobility, Tmap Mobility, Wright Brothers, and other local governments, public enterprises, and private companies participated together.

This meeting was arranged with the intention of changing the perception of bicycles in South Korea, where they are still seen primarily as leisure activities despite being a representative icon of green living, so that bicycles can be established as a common mode of transportation in daily life. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon, widely known as a cycling enthusiast, delivered a video message stating that “Cycling is a fantastic icon that protects the health of riders and the health of the planet together” and expressed his hope for the government and private sectors to find solutions to promote cycling together for carbon neutrality to deeply take root in our lifestyle culture. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) will actively cooperate in spreading the culture of bicycle use. 

Following that, Transportation Specialist Commissioner Lee Gyu-jin from the Carbon Neutrality Commission (professor at Ajou University) presented the ‘Action Plan for Promoting Bicycle Use’ jointly established by the Commission and relevant ministries. 

This plan, established at the request of the National Assembly’s Climate Special Committee, includes incentives for carbon reduction through bicycle use, such as providing carbon neutrality points and activating external projects related to carbon credits trading. 

Carbon neutrality points are provided by the ME to individuals for using bicycles. A pilot project is to be conducted with some local governments based on the use of public bicycles, with points given accordingly. The plan is to expand the project from 2026 based on the results obtained by 2025.  

Local governments promoting public bicycle programs and private bicycle-sharing operators will be eligible to receive recognition for carbon reduction through carbon credits trading. The MOLIT plans to provide support by developing guidelines, holding explanatory meetings, and providing consulting services from professional agencies for this purpose.  

In addition, the MOLIT plans to consolidate information on public bicycle rental station locations and available bicycles operated by local governments to provide a unified format to the private sector. The related industry will offer various services, such as optimal travel routes using bicycles, and will create a digital environment for calculating carbon reduction amounts and conducting credit trading.

The MOIS has decided to actively promote tasks for expanding bicycle use, such as safety inspections and facility improvements for national bicycle paths, regulatory enhancements for the introduction of electric cargo bicycles, and fostering model cities for cycling. 

After the announcement of the ‘Action Plan for Promoting Bicycle Use,’ the Carbon Neutrality Commission, MOLIT, MOIS, ME, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Kakao Mobility, Tmap Mobility, and Wright Brothers signed a ‘Business Agreement for Promoting Bicycle Use for Carbon Reduction.’ 

Under this agreement, the signatory parties will collaborate to link and integrate information on public bicycles from local governments for providing services to promote bicycle use. They will develop various services to encourage bicycle use and share information to promote and publicize cycling activities. 

Following the business agreement, the Carbon Neutrality Commission, ME, MOLIT, MOIS, Seoul Metropolitan Government, KEITI, participating companies, and civic organizations discussed strategies for promoting bicycle use and avenues for collaboration in creating a digital infrastructure. 

Chairman Kim Sang-hyeop stated, “We hope that bicycle riding, as a carbon-neutral mode of transport, will become integrated into our daily lives, replacing short-distance vehicle use and be established as a key tool toward carbon neutrality in the transportation sector.” He added, “We will actively explore and implement policies to expand bicycle use based on the various opinions raised during the meeting.”

He also called for efforts and mutual cooperation among relevant government agencies, related companies, and others to create a bicycle-friendly social culture and develop urban and territorial spaces to ensure that bicycles can become convenient and safe modes of transportation in our society.

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