Since the Cheongna Haneul Bridge in Incheon opened, noise complaints about motorcycles on Yeongjongdo have continued. In response, local authorities will restrict nighttime operation of motorcycles that produce excessive noise.
Jung‑gu district in Incheon announced on the 30th that it will designate and formally publish a mobile noise regulation zone effective the 1st of next month.
The notice will prohibit motorcycles with exhaust noise exceeding 95 decibels (dB) from traveling near residential areas on Yeongjongdo during nighttime hours.
The targeted area includes approximately a 1 km (about 0.62 miles) stretch of Haneul‑daero near the Cheongna Haneul Bridge (Jungsan‑dong 1997·1998) and zones within a straight‑line distance of 50 m (about 164 ft) from the boundaries of apartment sites on Yeongjongdo.
As a result, high‑noise motorcycles will effectively be barred from operating near the densely populated Yeongjong Haneul City residential area.
The restriction applies from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the following morning.
Jung‑gu plans a public education period from April through June and will begin full enforcement on July 1. After that, violators will face administrative sanctions and a fine of 100,000 KRW (about $75) under the Noise and Vibration Control Act.
Officials say the move responds to persistent noise complaints on Yeongjongdo since motorcycles were permitted to cross the Cheongna Haneul Bridge, which links Yeongjongdo to the mainland, on January 5.
Since the bridge opened, the district has conducted spot checks with the Jungbu Police Station and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and identified two motorcycles that violated noise standards.
A Jung‑gu official said, \"As we step up enforcement, we are informing motorcycle riders about the notice. Starting next month, we will actively publicize the rule, including by installing banners in busy commercial areas.\"
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