A coastal area in Aewol has become a popular destination. There are designated bike paths there, but parked cars make them practically useless for cyclists. Mike Balfour reports.



Report

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Aewol-eup, Jeju City

The (한담) Handam Coastal Walking Path has breathtaking ocean views.

The beautiful scenery and emerald seawater fascinate hikers.

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Area has developed into popular destination

Unfortunately, the area is overwhelmed by tourists and their vehicles.

A celebrity-owned coffee shop as well as a filming location for a Korean soap opera fuels the popularity.

This popularity causes problems.

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Cars parked in bike lane

Vehicles block the bike lanes.

Although the lane is designated by signs, drivers don’t care.

Recording
Driver
I thought I could park here. There are no parking spots down there.
<싱크: 차량 운전자>
"이런 곳에 (주차) 하는 것 아닌가요? 밑에 갔었는데 (주차할 곳이) 없었어요."

The cars in the bike lane threaten cyclists.

Cyclists have to carefully pick their way through.

INTERVIEW
Seo Han-seok / Cyclist from Seoul
Other cities have separated bike paths. Bike lanes here in Jeju are just painted. It is dangerous to share the lanes with cars.
<인터뷰: 서한석 / 서울특별시 동대문구>
"(다른 지역은 자전거) 전용으로 다 포장됐는데 색깔만 표시해 놓고서 자전거길이라고 하는 겁니다. 자동차하고 같이 (길을) 이용해서 위험합니다."

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Lot can only accommodate 15 vehicles

Only 15 cars can be accommodated at the parking lot near the walking path.

That is far from enough.

But construction of additional parking areas cannot be considered.

There is no space near the path and artificial facilities ruin the natural scenery.

In principle, cars parked in bike lanes should be ticketed and towed.

But authorities are only advising drivers not to park on the bike lane, instead of towing away their cars, because of the potential torrent of complaints expected when it enforces the law,

Drivers just ignore authorities’ requests.

INTERVIEW
Jeju City representative
The cars are parked here temporarily as this area is a tourist destination. It’s impossible for us to go out and force drivers out of the bike lane everyday.
<인터뷰: 제주시 관계자>
"특성상 이곳에(주차하는 사람들은) 일시적으로 왔다 가는 관광객들이기 때문에 저희가 계속 나가서 반복적으로 계도를 하기에는 한계가 있습니다."

The province built cycling routes that loop the island in 2015.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

Lack of enforcement on the part of Jeju authorities and the selfishness of many drivers are ruining some of the island’s natural hotspots.

Mike Balfour, KCTV