Hoi An city: Bicycle sharing scheme hits the road

Co-organized by Hoi An city People’s Committee, German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Health Bridge Canada, the event aimed to encourage the participation of local people by detailing how the social, environmental and health benefits of cycling reflect the values of Hoi An - a World Heritage city.

For several years, the city has demonstrated a commitment to improve the quality of life for local people by ensuring that its historical, cultural, and ecological values are central to development. The bicycle sharing scheme aims to uphold these values by reducing the demand for motorized transport, thereby encouraging non-motorized transport (walking and cycling).

It cooperated with Health Bridge Canada to develop the “Establishing a comprehensive bicycle plan and free/low-cost bike sharing program in Hoi An city” project which won the Global Urban Transportation prize in 2018, and is financed by GIZ’s Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative program. The project is also implemented with technical support from the World Resources Institute.

Two young enterprises that are playing key roles in the bicycle sharing scheme were also present at the event. They are QIQ, which is responsible for installing and managing the scheme in Hoi An, and Haybike, a domestic bicycle start-up.

The event is part of activities to celebrate 20 years since Hoi An’s ancient town received UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site, and 10 years since Cu Lao Cham island was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve./.