Cycling to Work: A Growing Trend in Vietnam

Cycling to Work: A Growing Trend in Vietnam

In Hanoi, a new trend has emerged combining bicycles with public transportation for commuting, promoting the concept of Cycling to Work

Health Benefits and Traffic Solutions

It only takes a few minutes for Mr. Nguyen Huy Phong and his compact folding bicycle to weave through the traffic jam, leaving behind the crowd baking in the blazing summer sun.

“There are situations like this that make you realize the value of cycling to work,” said Phong, 39, an employee at a travel company in Tay Ho district, Hanoi.

He has maintained the habit of cycling to work for over a year. His office job once led him to suffer from back, neck, shoulder, and joint pain. When he took up cycling as a sport, these issues gradually diminished and eventually disappeared. In early 2021, Phong decided to fully switch to cycling to work.

“Many people think I’m crazy. They say cycling in the summer makes you sweat like you’re taking a shower, and you end up smelling bad,” Phong said. But this issue was quickly solved when the company provided a shower room for employees.

Every morning at 7 AM, he cycles from his home in Hoan Kiem district to his office in Tay Ho, a distance of over 5 kilometers. Thanks to the compact size of his bike, which is easy to maneuver through traffic, he rarely encounters jams and even arrives 10 minutes earlier than when commuting by motorbike.

After seeing Phong cycling to work for six months, many of his colleagues decided to follow suit, hoping to improve conditions like cervical disc degeneration and numbness from sitting too long. Phong mentioned that some of his colleagues live nearby, cycling about 3 kilometers, while others live more than 10 kilometers away, but no one has expressed an intention to return to commuting by motorbike.

Currently, out of the 30 employees at his company, about 5-6 regularly use bicycles to commute. “I believe the number of cyclists will continue to rise,” Phong said.

Economic and Environmental Impact

In addition to improving health and avoiding traffic jams, Phuong Dung, 35, from Hai Phong, also started cycling to work last month when gasoline prices surpassed 30,000 VND per liter. Her home is 7 kilometers from her workplace. Every morning, Dung wakes up early to prepare meals for her family and leaves for work at 6:30 AM. After 30 minutes of cycling, she arrives at the office by 7:00 AM.

“On average, I spend over 500,000 VND a month on fuel. If I cycle, that money will be redirected to living expenses, buying more rice and spices due to rising inflation,” said Dung, who works in the import-export industry.

Seeing Dung cycling to work, many people expressed skepticism, thinking she was just following a trend and would quit soon. But the 35-year-old woman is determined to continue this habit because it saves money, contributes to a smoke-free city, and helps protect the environment.

“The demand for bicycles as both a workout tool and a commuting vehicle is increasing, driving a significant rise in sales. Before the pandemic, we sold about 10-15 bikes a month, but now sales have increased 3-4 times, with many customers buying bikes for their wives, children, and friends,” said Ha Xuan Nam, a bicycle retailer in Hanoi. Customer demands vary greatly, with prices ranging from a few million to tens of millions of VND per bike.

The Rise of Folding Bikes and Public Transport Integration

According to Nam, the demand for bicycles is about the same for both men and women, with no significant age gap. In the past, most people bought bikes for exercise, but now he sees a growing number of customers purchasing bikes for commuting. On social media, “cycling to work” groups have tens of thousands of members, where people share tips on choosing bikes and guide beginners on safe usage.

Tran The Nam, who manages a folding bike group with over 1,200 members, said that an average of 10 to 15 new people join the group daily. Their main goal is to learn and exchange information about bike usage. “In addition to sharing passion, group members also teach newcomers how to use bikes, form maintenance teams, and offer free bike care consultations to those in need,” Nam said.

According to statistics from Aeon Vietnam, there are over 3 million bicycle users in the country, mainly in Hanoi (about 1 million) and Ho Chi Minh City (about 2 million). The bicycle market in Vietnam has seen significant growth over the past 3-4 years, with strong prospects for the future.

Peter Nguyen, the CEO of a bicycle brand in Vietnam, emphasized three factors driving the long-term potential of the bicycle market: first, the increasing demand for health improvement; second, the development of road infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes and a focus on green lifestyles; and third, traffic congestion being alleviated through public transportation systems, with a reduction in the density of motorbikes in city centers, making bicycles an optimal choice.

Cycling and Public Transport: A Winning Combination

While the trend of cycling to work is new in Vietnam, it has long been established and thriving globally. According to the U.S. Census and Community Survey, from 2008 to 2012, approximately 786,000 Americans commuted by bike, an increase of 60% compared to 2000.

In Hanoi, a new trend has emerged combining bicycles with public transportation for commuting.

When the Cat Linh – Ha Dong elevated railway was launched, 39-year-old Tran Manh Lam from Dong Da district devised a new way to commute. His home is near the Cat Linh station, so every morning, he takes his bike onto the train, gets off at the Nguyen Xien station, and then cycles another 3 kilometers to his workplace. The total commute is 8 kilometers and takes only 20 minutes, which is twice as fast as traveling by motorbike. “Combining cycling with the train helps me avoid long traffic jams, especially on rainy days,” Lam shared.

Lam uses a folding bike, which weighs about 10 kilograms and is easy to carry. Initially, few people brought bikes onto the train, but over the past few months, the number of users has increased, and now every train carriage usually has a few passengers with bikes. Vu Hong Truong, CEO of Hanoi Metro, stated that there are clear regulations on the size of items that can be brought on board.

“Bicycles are typically not allowed due to their bulk, but folding bikes, which are compact, are permitted,” Truong explained. While Hanoi Metro does not track the exact number, they have noticed an increase in passengers bringing folding bikes onto the trains. Truong believes that combining cycling with public transport should be expanded to reduce congestion in the city center.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Cycling Commuting

Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, 31, from Hoai Duc district, also combines folding bikes with electric buses, as her workplace lacks a dedicated shower facility, and she wants to avoid the stress of traffic jams. Her commute from home to work in Thanh Xuan district is 14 kilometers. At 6:30 AM, Linh cycles 1.7 kilometers to the bus stop, takes the electric bus, and then cycles another 1.2 kilometers to her office. The total travel time is 40 minutes.

However, after nearly two weeks, Linh said she had to look for another solution since the electric buses do not allow folding bikes. “While waiting for the Nhon – Hanoi Railway Line to be completed, I will consider trying an electric bike that can fit in a backpack, which is compact and doesn’t require gasoline,” she laughed.

As for Phong, he recently gifted his wife a bicycle so they can both cycle to work together, realizing the health benefits. “My wife and I can’t completely give up our motorbikes and cars for bicycles, but we will try to use them as much as possible, instead of seeing them as a temporary alternative,” Phong said.

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