According to South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo, 57-year-old Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon praised bicycles during a cycling event, saying, “Cycling is not only good for your health but also helps reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, and parking difficulties. Many people are worried about power shortages this summer leading to blackouts, and cycling is like participating in an energy-saving campaign.”
The report stated that Park promised over 5,000 participants of a large-scale cycling parade that he would “make Seoul a city suitable for cycling,” adding, “The more people cycle, the cooler Seoul becomes.”
It is reported that the Seoul Metropolitan Government is working to transform the urban area into a bicycle city. Over the past few years, the city has been expanding bike lanes along the Han River, recently connecting previously disconnected paths along tributaries such as the Jungnangcheon and Jeongneungcheon streams, and adding more bike rental stations. Starting in July, people will also be allowed to bring their bicycles on subways during holidays.