Hoi An City on June 2 marked World Bicycle Day

The event, which was organized by Hoi An People’s Committee in cooperation with German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Health Bridge Canada, 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.

The event was attended by leaders from Quang Nam Province, and Hoi An City as well as representatives from the German Embassy, Health Bridge Canada, and the World Resources Institute.

Hundreds of local residents and tourists were also on hand to enjoy the event. The highlight of which was a game that helped participants to explore the public bicycle parking stations.

During the event, a cycling parade and the award of the Medal of Merit to Hoi An City’s Cycling Ambassador combined to inspire people to make cycling part of their daily lives.

For several years the Hoi An City authorities have demonstrated a commitment to improve the quality of life for local people by ensuring that the City’s 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 walking and cycling.

The development of non-motorized transport is environmentally friendly, preserves the heritage and tourist landscapes of the City, and promotes an image of Hoi An as a Friendly – Safe – Connected City.

To cultivate this image, the City cooperated with Health Bridge Canada to develop the ‘Establishing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan and Free/low-cost Bike Sharing Programme in Hoi An City’.

The project won the Global Urban Transportation prize in 2018 and is financed by GIZ’s Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative program. The project is implemented with technical support from the World Resources Institute.

On May 31, the Hoi An People’s Committee approved the Bicycle Transportation Development Master Plan, which was developed by a multi-sector Working Group with technical support from international experts.

“The approved Master Plan has a vision to make Hoi An a safe, convenient and connected City. We hope the City will be more environmentally friendly with better air quality and a safer, more attractive environment,” said Mr Nguyen Van Lanh, Deputy Head of the Working Group and Head of Hoi An City’s Information and Culture Unit.

Two young enterprises that are playing key roles in the bicycle sharing scheme were also present at the event; 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 a series 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.