Dedicated Lanes Aim to Make Cycling in Pyongyang Safer for Everyone

Cycling along the major roads of Pyongyang has become easier and safer with the introduction of dedicated lanes. An image of a freshly laid path has circulated in early July, showing the effort to lessen accidents.

The pavement running through the capital's central area has been installed with a smooth path and marked with outlines of bikes.

The construction is done in a bid to lessen pedestrian accidents, what with an increasing number of citizens - including tourists - choosing to ride a bicycle rather than commute. More people are also buying bikes rather than cars to get to places, considering that the former have become well-known transportation and ownership of the latter is rare.

Riding bicycles on urban roads is supposedly not allowed in North Korea. This is why many cyclists have shared the pavements with pedestrians for many years. This has led to numerous collisions and accidents. Until the creation of bike lines, the only safety solution is riding slowly and ringing bells to signal the coming of cyclists.

Pyongyang, which means "flat lands", is generally bicycle-friendly - geographically, that is. However, the nation's policy on cycling has been unwavering, with bans imposed and then lifted. There was even a law prohibiting women from riding bicycles.

But this isn't the case nowadays, wherein the number of cyclists has risen by around 50%. They largely comprise women who bring goods to semi-tolerated markets, where they often find repair services. Plenty of tourists also ride bikes to get around. On the other hand, a lot of men and image-conscious locals consider this mode of transport unsophisticated.

Still, having dedicated bike lanes in Pyongyang is good news. Not only will these keep both riders and pedestrians safe, but these will also make bicycles practical transportation at a time when buses are delayed or not functioning and when fuel imports have ceased.