On the morning of October 3rd, a tragic accident occurred on the 1100 Road on Hallasan Mountain in Jeju, where a cyclist in his 50s participating in a club ride collided with an oncoming tourist bus and lost his life. The accident, which happened as the cyclist was descending a two-lane downhill slope in Aewol-eup and struck a bus traveling uphill, immediately sparked a heated debate over safety among cycling enthusiasts and drivers. The police are currently investigating the specific details of the accident, including whether either party crossed the center line.

The 1100 Road is a 35.1km-long mountain route that cuts through an altitude of 1,100 meters, known for its steep inclines and continuous sharp curves. Due to the narrow road width and the virtual absence of shoulders, dangerous situations frequently occur when large buses, regular vehicles, and bicycles are all forced to share the path. Consequently, there is growing pressure within automotive online communities and forums to ban cycling on Jeju’s mountainous roads, such as the 1100 Road and the 516 Road, where the terrain is rugged and heavy traffic is common.

While the right to enjoy cycling as a recreational sport should be respected, critics argue that if a road’s structure makes it physically impossible for cars and bicycles to coexist safely, regulatory improvements prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users are essential. To prevent recurring mountain road accidents, it is time to move beyond placing the burden of responsibility solely on individual drivers and cyclists and start a serious discussion on realistic road regulations and the securing of safety infrastructure.

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