How to use Kakao Bike (fee, area of use) and precautions
1. What is Kakao Bike? (Fee, available area)
2. How to use Kakao Bike
3. Notes (Frequently Asked Questions)
These days, people riding yellow bicycles on the streets often stand out. It is ‘Kakao T Bike’, a bicycle sharing service operated by Kakao. I also rode it once by chance, but today I will learn about how to use Kakao Bike (fee, area of use, how to ride) and precautions. 카카오바이크 요금
1. What is Kakao Bike? (Fee, available area) 좋은뉴스
The official name of Kakao Bike is ‘Kakao T Bike’ and it can be used through the ‘Kakao T App’. Unlike Ttareungyi, which runs entirely on human power, Kakao Bike is an electric vehicle. Speaking of my own experience, it was definitely much more comfortable on uphill roads.
However, it is not a fully electric bike. It is a PAS system in which the motor operates when you step on the pedal, so you can rent and drive without a license.
Kakao Bike has a maximum speed limit of 20km/h for safety, and is equipped with front and rear ramps/baskets. In addition, Kakao characters are drawn on each bicycle, and the wheel size and number of gears for each character are as follows.
Ryan: 24-inch wheels, 7 gears
Tube: 24-inch wheels, 7 gears
Muji: 24-inch wheels, 7 gears
Apeach: 20-inch wheels, 1st gear
Little Friends: 20-inch wheels, 1st gear
Areas where Kakao Bike is available
Kakao Bike is still available in limited areas. In Seoul, it is possible only in ‘Seodaemun-gu, Songpa-gu, and Gangdong-gu’, but the range is too small compared to Ttareungyi. There are sparsely available areas even in major metropolitan cities across the country.
I’ve organized the kakao bike available area below (as of October 2021). However, the service area may change in the middle, and some areas may be excluded even in the relevant city/gun/district, so it is recommended to check the exact information on Kakao T Map.
Seoul: Songpa-gu, Gangdong-gu, Seodaemun-gu
Gyeonggi : Seongnam-si (Bundang-gu, Sujeong-gu, Jungwon-gu), Suwon-si (Gwonseon-gu, Paldal-gu, Yeongtong-gu), Anyang-si (Dongdong-gu), Ansan-si (Sangnok-gu, Danwon-gu), Yongin-si (Suji-gu, Giheung-gu), Hanam-si
Busan : Nam-gu, Dongrae-gu, Yeonje-gu, Suyeong-gu
Daegu: Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Suseong-gu, Dalseo-gu
Incheon: Yeonsu-gu, Seo-gu
Gwangju: Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Gwangsan-gu
Daejeon : Dong-gu, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Yuseong-gu, Daedeok-gu
Ulsan : Buk-gu, Jung-gu, Nam-gu, Ulju-gun
Chungcheongbuk-do: Cheongju-si (Sangdang-gu, Heungdeok-gu, Seowon-gu, Cheongwon-gu)
Jeollabuk-do: Jeonju-si (Deokjin-gu, Wansan-gu), Wanju-gun
Kakao Bike usage fee
Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seo-gu, Jeonju, Ulsan: Basic fee 200 won + 150 won per minute
Other areas: Basic rate 1,500 won (15 minutes) + 100 won per minute
The basic fee (rate) includes insurance premiums. In some areas (Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seo-gu, Jeonju, Ulsan, Incheon), a fee of 150 won is charged for every minute of usage without the basic time according to the basic fee.
There is no system such as a commuter pass, and it is said that the usage fee is rather expensive. Even considering that it is an electric bicycle, the price difference is significant compared to Ttareungyi. I think it would be better to ride it for a short time during commuting or when moving a short distance rather than for leisure.
2. How to use Kakao Bike
The use of Kakao Bike proceeds in the following 6 steps. If you have already registered the app installation and payment information, you only need to go through 5 steps: ‘Run the app – Search nearby Kakao Bikes – Recognize QR code – Drive – Return’.
Install the app (first time)
Kakao T App → Bike
Registration of payment information (first time)
Search nearby Kakao Bikes
QR code recognition
Kakao Bike driving
return
Let’s learn more about how to use Kakao Bike with photos. After searching-installing-executing the ‘Kakao T’ app, enter the bike menu.
Kakao t-app installation
When using Kakao Bike for the first time, you agree to the use of personal information such as location information collection. If you are in the Kakao Bike service area, Kakao Bikes located near you are displayed on the map.
kakaot-app-map
For reference, you can also check the battery charge status of that bike by looking at the top right corner of the displayed bike. If a ‘+’ is displayed, there are several Kakao Bikes nearby, just zoom in on the map.
Voila! I followed the map and found a Kakao Bike nearby. In the service area, there are many Kakao Bikes, so it is easy to find.
Kakao Bike
After selecting ‘Use a bike’ in the Kakao T app, scan the QR code on the back of the bicycle. When the lock on the rear wheel is released, the use of Kakao Bike begins.
Kakao Bike-rental-step
While driving, the app screen is displayed like this. You can stop the car for a while by pressing ‘Pause’. If the lock (smart lock) is broken and cannot be returned, you can end the service by clicking the siren icon below.
Kakao Bike-in use-app screen
Normal return is as simple as stopping the bike in a suitable place and lowering the lock located on the rear wheel. It is a sense to return it to a place where there is no hindrance to people’s traffic! After returning, check the return completion message on the Kakao T app.
Kakao Bike-Parking
One thing to note at this time is that if you leave the Kakao Bike service area and return it, an additional fee of 20,000 won will be charged. Please make sure to return it after confirming that it is in the service area through the app.
After returning, the screen below is connected from the app. If you take a picture of the parking location and send it to the next user, it would be icing on the cake, right? Not required.
Kakao Bike-Return-Photography
3. Notes (Frequently Asked Questions)
1) Returnable area
Kakao Bikes must be parked within the service area. Unlike Ttareungyi, there is no stand, so you can park it in a suitable place that will not interfere with people’s traffic.
There are places where you shouldn’t park. Of course, not on roads and bike paths. You cannot park (return) next to a car, underground, on a bridge, or inside a building.
If you are near an apartment, we recommend parking at the front door if possible.
2) Return (end of use) error
If the smart lock (lock device) is broken or there is an error, you can emergency shutdown by clicking the siren (emergency light) icon in the Kakao T app. However, if you use this method, the next user cannot use it, so please use it only when the smart lock is broken.
3) Payment method
You can choose a payment method among credit/debit card, Kakao Pay, mobile phone (small amount payment), and PayPal. When driving for the first time, 10,000 won is charged to the selected payment method, and then the usage fee is deducted from the charged amount.
Kakao Bike-Payment Method-Registration
4) Safety Rules
Although it is a bicycle, basic safety precautions must be followed for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. Never ride with two people or drink and drive. In this case, insurance coverage is not provided in the event of an accident. We recommend that you wear a helmet as much as possible.
5) In case of failure
On the bike map screen of the Kakao T app (before riding), click the ‘Tools’ button in the bottom right corner to report a broken bike or an abandoned bike.
6) In case of an accident
Once the service is terminated through smart lock or emergency shutdown. Depending on the situation, you can report it to 112/119 and call the ‘Bike Insurance Consultation’ kakaotalk channel or the 1877-3006 counseling center for Kakao Bike accidents.
7) Insurance coverage
Kakao Bike’s basic price includes insurance premiums. In case of an accident while using it, it can be covered by insurance if you report it.
Maximum amount of compensation (per accident): 300 million won per person (100 million won per person) / 10 million won for property / 5 million won for medical expenses (per person)
Self-pay* (per accident): 100,000 won for person / 100,000 won for property / 200,000 won for treatment
Disclaimer (if not covered by insurance)
intentional damage
Accidents while driving the bike for competition/practice for competition
Damage caused to other people’s paintings, antiques, artworks, etc.
Damage to other people’s clothing or mobile phones
Damage caused to belongings of (perpetrator) due to loss/theft
Other accidents caused by driving by an unauthorized person
※ Self-pay: Self-pay that Kakao Bike users (incidents) must pay when insurance is processed
So far, we have learned about how to use Kakao Bike (fee, area of use) and precautions. As mobility sharing services increase, it is nice to see the diversity of choices increasing. I hope everyone enjoys riding while paying attention to safety.