Photo Credit: Sexify

South Korea in the past decade has been referred to as one the “Asian Tigers” for its spectacular economic growth. After a devastating civil war, the 1960s saw it with an income per head on par with the poorest parts of Africa. By the end of this year, the Economist magazine reports that it will be richer than EU27 average with gross domestic product per person of $31,750.

Following this burst in wealth has been a complete and utter motorization of the country. In the 1960’s, the country had 1.2 cars per 1000 people. Today it has 346 per 1000 people. It has developed a strong automotive sector, (think of brands like Hyundai and Daewoo) and planning until recently has remained wholly car-centric. Progress it would seem has been measured by bitumen and steering wheels.

Things do appear to be changing however. The city of Changwon hosted an Eco-Mobility conference, and has been one of the earliest Asian cities to install a bike share scheme.

And now the drum roll: A new study by the Korean Transport Institute has 2.8 percent of people in Seoul using their bicycles to get around, 4 times more than 10 years ago. For a city with a population of 11 million, this means that 308,000 thousand bicycles are pedalling around the capital. On top of this the government has announced that it would complete a 2,175 km-long bicycle path network by 2019 with a $1 billion investment.

Maybe economics has something to do with it? A study by Korea Institute of Sport Science doubling the current number of people on bicycles would save about $1.65 billion a year. What better way to remain an economic powerhouse than opting for pedal power.

It would appear that the vehicle of the future already exists. 

About the Author

Julian Ferguson is the Communications Officer for the European Cyclists’ Federation. Originally hailing from Australia and a keen bicycle advocate, he plans one day to ride his bicycle from Brussels to Melbourne