Gathering against heavyweight motorcycle ban
 

Seoul Korea :)

Motorcyclists call for right to ride on the open road

March 02, 2007

Motorcyclists gather in Yeouido, western Seoul yesterday, to protest the government’s 1972 ban on motorcycles on highways. By Kim Sang-seon
Looking to put their two wheels on four-lane highways, more than 1,500 bikers gathered at Yeouido in Seoul to protest the government’s rules keeping them off expressways.
The protesters planned to ride en masse to World Cup Stadium, but the police only allowed five bikes at a time at certain time intervals.
The bikers said riding a motorcycle on the expressway does carry some danger, but they said it is no higher than on city streets.
“Most motorcycle accidents happen on city streets rather than highways,” said Hwang Sang-gil, former president of the BMW Motorrad Club in Korea. “If proper protection is worn and the riding is done safely, there isn’t a big threat to the rider’s safety.”
Peter Kim, head of the Korea Motorcycle Reference Group, said the Korean motorcycle industry has been damaged by the government’s policy. “The Korean motorcycle industry is so small compared to the car makers. The government should stop its policies against bikes. It will help the industry and would also ease the traffic and parking problems.”
Motorcycles were banned on highways in 1972 when the government decided they were too dangerous.


By Hwang Young-jin Staff Writer
Here in Korea, gathering against motorcycle(heavyweight) ban on expressways, highways, car only roads, overpass & etc on March 1 2007.
Motorcycle ban on expressway has been effective since 1972.
Another ban has also been implemented on car only roads since 1991.
If we want to go riding, this is hectic problems to riders.
Due to too many car only roads, we have to detour and cut through
downtown.
If we ride on banned roads, sentenced penalty as a criminal is almost 315 USD. This is not just simple ticket.
Reason for ban is danger,
motorcycles have possibility to cause accidents of 4 wheel cars...... etc.

March 1 2007 - pictures
 

pictures

Good luck in your fight! Keep us posted!

interesting, I had no Idea ...thought it would be the other way around.

wow thats crazy

That sort of pegs my Insanity-o-meter! I too think it would be the other way around. I also thought that motorcycles would be a much more common form of transportation there, and was shocked by the rule - and the hefty price tag for breaking it.

Juyong Lee your government may ticket and fine you:mad: for exercising your rights to ride free, it looks as if you're off to a good start to get these unfair laws repealed. Write letters, protest, march get the public behind you. With the cost of fuel rising daily worlwide it is time to use a cheaper form of transportation such as two wheels. Protest Buddy

I am at a loss for words.