Hanoi turns cycle friendly

The city authority says around 250 cycles will be available for rent for just US$0.19 per hour that will be launched soon in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
Hanoi is among the five major cities in Vietnam that will introduce bike rentals.
The four other cities are Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Danang and Can Tho.
Ministry of Transport’s Transport Department head, Khuat Viet Hung, told local media that over the last two years, the number of cyclists in Hanoi had increased.
“In the downtown areas, such as the old quarter in Hanoi, where the traffic flow is dense, bicycles are very appropriate,” he said.
Initially, the bikes will probably be rented by local residents for short commutes in the Old Quarter, but the long-term objective is to attract visitors to use rental cycles.
Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company general director, Do Xuan Thuy, who is the developer of the bike rental programme in Hanoi, said bicycles are suitable for the Hanoi.
“This type of vehicle will help solve environmental problems and traffic congestion in the city and rentals are cheap.”
The company will offer 250 bicycles in Hoan Kiem district and paid for by electronic cards. They will be parked at bus stops or tourist attractions, especially the Old Quarter.
“Within three years, the number of people using bicycles will be very significant and will also appeal to tourists,” he said.
This year, the city targets 15 million domestic tourists and 2.8 million international visitors. By 2020, the city targeted to reach 3.2 million foreign arrivals and 20 million local tourists.
Last year, there were 2.58 million international tourists and 14 million domestic tourists visited Hanoi.

Sourced: ttrweekly