The capital of Hanoi now has its own cycling movement, promoting better health and a slower pace of life.
At6.30am, Hanoi is still engulfed in fog – the influence of the monsoonafter the Tet, lunar new year. Now and then, one can see a bicycle rideron the street, braving the cold winds.
The tea shops, cafes, andbicycle repairers who are not afraid of the chill are also hard atwork, and their venues will soon become a place to rest for those whoenjoy this activity.
Some of the riders, after ending a round,stop for a cup of tea and chat with their mates. Others painstakinglymake three or four rounds before returning home.
A group ofpeople, old and young, stand by, waiting for others and preparing totake a trip to the Bat Trang pottery village on the outskirts of Gia Lamdistrict or even to Ba Vi mountain.
"I choose the bicyclebecause of its simplicity and slowness. The bicycle is never fussy. Itrequires no paperwork, rear-view mirrors or gasoline. We just need alittle bit of health and some peace of mind, and then we can slowly getthrough the rush of urban life. The slow pace helps me forget the noiseand bustling activity around us. While riding, I can feel lifehappening," stated Nguyen Ngoc Nga, a young white-collar worker.
Havingrecognised the importance of protecting the environment, recently anorder issued by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai asked five majorcities – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho – torun public bicycle rental services in their downtown areas.
Accordingto the order, this is one of the measures being adopted to increasetraffic safety and reduce traffic jams in the cities by 2015.
Followingthat order, Hanoi People's Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Van Khoiasked the municipal Department of Transport to implement a pilot projectto supply public bicycle services in the city's central area, and areport to the city People's Committee is expected in May this year.
NguyenQuang Dung, a martial arts master living on Hang Bong street in Hanoi,chooses to go to his classes on his bicycle, rather than his car ormotorbike.
"Parking in Hanoi is always a problem. With mybicycle, I can easily get out of traffic jams. Perhaps othersdifferentiate between fitness and work, but for me, it is not difficultto combine exercise with going to work. It is only important for us tomanage our time properly," he said.
Dung said riding a bicycle helps people relax.
"Eachcycling trip to me is like a small outdoor adventure. With asmartphone, we can record the beautiful moments of nature, humanity andsocial living. Moreover, these trips help us communicate with manypeople across social classes."
His new cycling mate, Nguyen DuyBinh from the Hanoi Motor Club, claimed that he wakes up at 5am everyday and rides for 30km per session.
"We often ride in a group offive people. On some Sundays, we travel as far as 50km for a one-waytrip. Team spirit during the trip is high as we help each other alongthe way."
Nguyen Ba Duong from the same club pointed out that theactivity is good for cardiovascular exercise and strengthening thelungs.
"It also helps me reduce my body fat percentage. Myrheumatism stopped bothering me after five months of cycling," he notedhappily.
Dung remarked that most young people now seem to alwaysbe in a hurry, and they forget that everyone needs to take a few minutesto slow down and enjoy life and watch Hanoi changing every day whileretaining its own beauty.
"I believe this cycling movement willdevelop further as it not only improves our health, but riding a bicyclealso helps reduce pollution. If you do not yet cycle, you should joinus, and you will surely see its benefits," he said with a broad radiantsmile.-VNA
At6.30am, Hanoi is still engulfed in fog – the influence of the monsoonafter the Tet, lunar new year. Now and then, one can see a bicycle rideron the street, braving the cold winds.
The tea shops, cafes, andbicycle repairers who are not afraid of the chill are also hard atwork, and their venues will soon become a place to rest for those whoenjoy this activity.
Some of the riders, after ending a round,stop for a cup of tea and chat with their mates. Others painstakinglymake three or four rounds before returning home.
A group ofpeople, old and young, stand by, waiting for others and preparing totake a trip to the Bat Trang pottery village on the outskirts of Gia Lamdistrict or even to Ba Vi mountain.
"I choose the bicyclebecause of its simplicity and slowness. The bicycle is never fussy. Itrequires no paperwork, rear-view mirrors or gasoline. We just need alittle bit of health and some peace of mind, and then we can slowly getthrough the rush of urban life. The slow pace helps me forget the noiseand bustling activity around us. While riding, I can feel lifehappening," stated Nguyen Ngoc Nga, a young white-collar worker.
Havingrecognised the importance of protecting the environment, recently anorder issued by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai asked five majorcities – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho – torun public bicycle rental services in their downtown areas.
Accordingto the order, this is one of the measures being adopted to increasetraffic safety and reduce traffic jams in the cities by 2015.
Followingthat order, Hanoi People's Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Van Khoiasked the municipal Department of Transport to implement a pilot projectto supply public bicycle services in the city's central area, and areport to the city People's Committee is expected in May this year.
NguyenQuang Dung, a martial arts master living on Hang Bong street in Hanoi,chooses to go to his classes on his bicycle, rather than his car ormotorbike.
"Parking in Hanoi is always a problem. With mybicycle, I can easily get out of traffic jams. Perhaps othersdifferentiate between fitness and work, but for me, it is not difficultto combine exercise with going to work. It is only important for us tomanage our time properly," he said.
Dung said riding a bicycle helps people relax.
"Eachcycling trip to me is like a small outdoor adventure. With asmartphone, we can record the beautiful moments of nature, humanity andsocial living. Moreover, these trips help us communicate with manypeople across social classes."
His new cycling mate, Nguyen DuyBinh from the Hanoi Motor Club, claimed that he wakes up at 5am everyday and rides for 30km per session.
"We often ride in a group offive people. On some Sundays, we travel as far as 50km for a one-waytrip. Team spirit during the trip is high as we help each other alongthe way."
Nguyen Ba Duong from the same club pointed out that theactivity is good for cardiovascular exercise and strengthening thelungs.
"It also helps me reduce my body fat percentage. Myrheumatism stopped bothering me after five months of cycling," he notedhappily.
Dung remarked that most young people now seem to alwaysbe in a hurry, and they forget that everyone needs to take a few minutesto slow down and enjoy life and watch Hanoi changing every day whileretaining its own beauty.
"I believe this cycling movement willdevelop further as it not only improves our health, but riding a bicyclealso helps reduce pollution. If you do not yet cycle, you should joinus, and you will surely see its benefits," he said with a broad radiantsmile.-VNA
