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Kakao T Bike

Korea Mobile app giant Kakao Corp. is beating out the other electric bike rental companies in Seoul. The program to launch electric bike sharing in the capital started in March last year. Now it seems like there are Kakao bikes everywhere. Actually more that I bargained for. There is no docking station so they can be left anywhere. This one was just parked in front of my house. I have no idea who left it there.

These bikes are rented electronically and activated through Kakao T app. The renter pays 100 won (less than a dollar for the first 15 minutes) After that it is 500 won for each additional five minutes. It's kind of like a taxi but you don't have to worry about lousy drivers because you are the driver.

Convenience beats tradition

These bikes are made in Korea and Kakao takes care of the charging of the battery and the maintenance. It's good for people who like up in the mountain neighborhoods far from the buses like me. It's also good for getting through heavy traffic in the bottle neck areas of the city like I do every day.

Taxi drivers are no real cool about these vehicle sharing ideas and would rather not see people finding alternate means of transportation and ride sharing. I think it is innovative, but the current taxi drivers really see their livelihood threatened.

When it comes to bottom line ride shares like this offer the costumer an opportunity to make a real time evaluation of the service and keeps the service providers on their tows. There is a group of people who want these bikes, kickboards and scooters off the road, but an even greater number of people who love their convenience and the joy of getting around the city in their own way.

Personally I think the bikes are pretty dangerous especially with the amount of taxi drivers on the road that don't like them. If I did rent one I would definitely wear a helmet and leather gloves. Safety is important. I also think users should be careful to leave the bikes in front of their own property not in front of my house.

I do own the picture and have permission to use it as this bike was found on my property.

Have you every used a ride share electric bike?

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