Electric bicycles are transforming life in North Korea’s rural communities, offering people a faster and more convenient alternative to traditional bicycles while opening new economic opportunities.
According to a Daily NK source in South Pyongan province recently, “speed” has become an increasingly important factor in North Korea’s rural areas, and electric bicycles—which are more comfortable and much faster than ordinary bicycles—are drawing significant public interest.
“In the past, every rural household wanted to have at least one bike, and now about 70 to 80% of them have one,” the source said. “However, bicycles require strength and time to ride, so they’re limited in terms of range. Electric bikes greatly reduce both problems, making them the preferred means of getting around.”
The biggest advantages of electric bicycles, which sell for approximately $500 in North Korea, are that they can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour and don’t require separate registration.
Motorcycles might be faster, but permits are expensive and riders need to pay for fuel, making them out of reach for many rural residents. Electric motorcycles also require costly licenses, and once their batteries die, riders must dismount and push them—an arduous task given their weight.
Given these factors, electric bikes are ideal for people living in rural areas. Importantly, residents of rural regions want electric bikes for economic reasons, not simply as status symbols.
Economic opportunities drive demand
“People living in rural areas now understand that making money requires distributing goods quickly using fast transportation,” the source said. “There are plenty of opportunities to earn money if you have faster transportation than others, so most rural residents want electric bikes.”
“Electric bikes are useful for several reasons. If you have one, you don’t need to wait for merchants—you can go to town yourself and get what you need without paying a markup. You can also earn money running errands,” the source said. “Young people living in rural areas joke that getting an electric bike is more important than finding a wife.”
Life in rural communities is changing as people acquire electric bicycles, the source said. The bikes have become a powerful tool for transforming the economic landscape of North Korea’s rural society.
With people now able to travel to town two or three times a day, some private homes have begun selling manufactured goods, foodstuffs, and other items like small convenience stores, allowing neighbors to purchase necessities without traveling far.
“As more people get electric bikes, the price gap between villages and towns is gradually shrinking, which is good for rural residents overall,” the source said.
