By Kim Hyelin, Lee Jae-eun and Yoon Hee Young

A fun and healthy way to explore Seoul is on a bike, which offers access to every nook and corner of the city unlike a car. Those without a bicycle need not fear. The public bicycle rental system Ttareungyi allows anyone including foreign nationals to rent wheels anywhere in the city.

Korea.net staff writers explored two bike paths in Seoul.

The first was Seongnaecheon Bicycle Path in Songpa-gu District. This 10-km path connects Jamsilnaru Station in the Sincheon-dong neighborhood, Seongnaecheon Stream, Olympic Park and the Macheon-dong neighborhood. Korea.net's journey started at Olympic Park, the middle section of the path, and continued for 6 km to Gwangnaru Hangang River Park.

Rental stations are at Exit 2 of Jamsilnaru Station on Line 2 and Exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on Line 5 and 9, easing the rental process regardless of starting point.

Pedaling away with a helmet on fills one's nose with the fresh smell of grass. Riding along Seongnaecheon Stream leads to a green tunnel ramped with tall trees. A green road with colorful flowers and grass appears next, leading to a view of the Hangang River.

The biggest advantage of this trail is the views of the stream, river and park while feeling the cool summer breeze. Each scenery has its own unique beauty that keeps riders smiling while wearing masks. The risk of bumping into pedestrians is low since most sections are separated from walking paths.

Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, located near the border of Seoul and Guri, Gyeonggi-do Province, offers a bicycle path, closed railway and walking trail. (Seoul Tourism Organization)

The second path was Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, which connects the Wolgye-dong neighborhood of Nowon-gu District to Damteo Village on the border of Seoul and Guri, Gyeonggi-do Province. The trail used to be a railway for the Gyeongchun Line Train that linked Seoul and Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province. After the train's operations were ceased in December 2010, the Seoul Metropolitan Government transformed the trail and its structures into a park.

A seven-minute walk from Exit 1 of Wolgye Station on Line 1 toward Nokcheon Middle School leads to a bicycle rental station.

Passing Gyeongchun Railroad Bridge near the starting point, a forest road full of Korean early lilacs and hydrangeas appears. The harmony of a train, railway, people and bikes form an unusual scene.

The trail includes railbike riding. Get off the bicycle for a bit and soak in the atmosphere of the trail for a unique experience.

One section of the trail is where a Mugunghwa train stops and further down are scenes of street trees and a residential area with beautiful wall paintings. Sculptures and statues blend in well with green plants and trees to create a prime photogenic spot.

The highlight of this 6-km course is Hwarangdae Railroad Park, which was once the area of the now-defunct Hwarangdae Station, Seoul's last whistle stop. The park exhibits old trains against the backdrop of beautiful landscapes.

Designated Registered Cultural Property No. 300, the park also has a history museum housing a ticket office and train timetables as remaining vestiges of the old station. Bicycling within the park is prohibited, so returning a bicycle to the rental station in front of the entrance is recommended while walking around the park.

For a cycling excursion that allows riders to feel the wind and make a stop anywhere without worrying about parking, just bring a safety helmet and the Ttareungyi app. If ready, pedal away.