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(Yonhap Feature) Bicycle fever sweeps Korea amid energy, environmental woes
By Sam Kim
CHANGWON, South Korea, Oct. 27 (Yonhap) -- Nam Yeon-ja recently fractured her finger after a head-on bicycle collision while she was pedaling her way to a local festival.
The unexpected mishap, however, left her feeling more grateful than regretful about being a bicycle enthusiast, as she later found out most of her medical expenses would be covered by the city.
"My daughter told me the city already had me insured, and 400,000 won (US$280) was later put into my bank account," said Nam, 57, a housewife and one of over a half-million people protected by bicycle insurance provided by the city of Changwon.
"Now I go around telling everyone more than ever what a great thing it is to ride a bicycle," she said, showing off her bandage-wrapped finger, which is expected to heal fully in a couple of weeks.
Changwon, a mid-size industrial city about 320 kilometers south of Seoul, is the front-runner in South Korea's efforts to encourage more citizens to tackle rising oil costs and global warming by riding a bicycle.
South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, is considerably more vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel prices than its neighbors as it relies almost completely on imports for its energy needs. It has also seen a major transformation in people's mindset about environment and lifestyle, as more and more Koreans take to two wheels to help ease pollution and improve their personal health.
"Our club's membership doubled in the past one year alone," said Choi Yong-sun, head of an Internet community, "Bicycle Commuters," which commands a membership of 220,000.
"A bicycle is a rare transport method that combines health benefits with economic advantages, and people are starting to take that thought to heart," he said in an email interview, suggesting the recent "well-being" movement, which puts priority on health in everyday life, has been another driving force.
Changwon succeeded last month in convincing a major South Korean insurance company, LIG, to design a product for its residents -- the first time a South Korean city has insured its entire population against bicycle hazards -- and its people are generally pleased.
"I'm very thankful. I can now ride with a greater sense of security," said Song Jong-myung, a 44-year-old office worker.
According to Changwon, three people have benefited since the annual 193-million-won (US$134,000) insurance was put in place, with up to 29 million won (US$20,100) available for a single accident.
"A lot of Changwon residents are calling us to ask how they can apply for the insurance," said Cho Seung-guk, a city official, "only to hear they simply need to ride on."
"We need to wait and see how profitable the insurance will be for us," LIG official Kim Ji-ho said. "Nonetheless, we concluded it would help improve our image as a contributor to a social cause and that we could lead the market if the bicycle boom expands further."
The insurance started to take effect on the same day that Changwon launched a city-wide network of 20 high-tech stations employing 430 GPS-installed rental bicycles on Sept. 22. The system is similar to Paris' 'Velib' program, which was launched last year.
The network stretches from one end of the city to the other, and the number of bicycles available and road conditions are displayed on the Web in real time.
Near one of the stations stands a recently-built 800 million won (US$555,000) building that offers free maintenance and allows visitors to enjoy traveling to some of the world's most scenic towns and mountains on a bicycle in virtual reality.
In a country that boasts a huge population of ultra-speed Web users and a high-tech industry led by such world-famed brands as Samsung and LG, entertainment like this is not uncommon, says facility manager Shim Jae-sang.
"We call it 'screen biking,'" he said, comparing it to "screen golf," a popular indoor sport that lets users swing and tee off at three-dimensional interactive images of outdoor golf courses.
Cho, the city official, said over 1,000 Changwon residents have joined the monthly membership to rent bicycles at discounted rates, up from 200 just a month ago.
He added that his densely industrialized city will begin next year to pay 30,000 won (US$20) per month to individuals who commute via bicycle on more than 15 days per month.
"In the long run, that's the cost-effective way to combat pollution and ease traffic jam, and local companies have pledged to cooperate by promoting the campaign," he said.
Bicycle manufacturers are ecstatic about the new drive. Despite the plunges in the local stock markets, Samchuly, the largest domestic manufacturer, enjoyed a 30 percent rise in its share price last week alone. Smaller companies are also seeing an inflow of cash.
The unusual bullrun in the bike market followed the city of Seoul's announcement last week that it plans to create over 200 kilometers of new bicycle lanes, many at the expense of those used by motor-driven vehicles.
"It's a quiet revolution in the making," said Ahn Kyu-hong, chief researcher at the state-run Korea Institute of Science and Technology who specializes in urban development and pollution control. "It is slowly changing the way South Koreans live, commute, travel and care for the environment."
The fever has even reached the southernmost part of the country.
Jeju Island, known best for its resorts, announced last month it would invest 200 million won (US$139,000) over the next two years to equip its buses with bicycle carriers and set up unmanned electronic stations to combat bicycle theft.
But the nationwide boom isn't without its share of brouhahas. In September, Changwon considered lowering speed limits for motor vehicles to ensure safer conditions for bicycle riders, but the police cringed, arguing it would aggravate traffic jams.
The National Police Agency in Seoul sought last month to impose nationwide regulations on "drunk pedaling" amid an increasing number of accidents. But the plan backfired, with people complaining of excessive regulation.
"Regulations need be streamlined to push for safer arrangements between bicycles, cars and pedestrians," Ahn said. "Fortunately, rising energy concerns and other factors seem to help people converge on the sentiment that bicycles, for now and many years to come, are the way to go."
samkim@yna.co.kr
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