Hanoi workers turn to bikes and buses
25-JUL-2008 Intellasia | Thanhniennews
Jul 25, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM
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As fuel prices continue to increase, more Hanoians are leaving their motorbikes at home and riding buses or bicycles to work.
Nguyen Minh Anh said her place of employment was not far from her home and even before the surge in gas prices she often rode her bicycle to work a few days a week.
"Now I ride to work everyday to save money and be healthier," Anh said.
Many company managers strongly encourage their employees to pedal to work.
Thuy Minh, who works for a foreign company, said her boss promised financial rewards to those who rode bikes to work regularly.
"My boss, a foreigner, encourages the staff to ride bikes because cycling is good for your health and for the environment too," she said.
Nguyen Tien Trung, who owns a bicycle shop on Ba Trieu Street, said sales had jumped recently.
Trung said he had sold more bikes and electric bicycles than usual.
Trung said many parents had bought new bikes for their children and for themselves, adding that his best sellers were high quality bikes priced between 1 million dong and 3 million dong (US$60-US$180).
Some motorbike owners are now considering buying an electric bicycle or at least a newer motorbike that doesn't use as much petrol as older ones.
Public transportation is also becoming more popular for those shying away from top-tier gas prices.
Students are traditionally the largest bus company demographic.
Some said their families bought motorbikes for them but they preferred riding buses to school because they wanted to spend the little money they had on things other than gasoline.
Many workers say that they have opted for buses as Hanoi bus fares are cheap and they run on time.
Phuong Thu at Fivimart Supermarket said she woke up early to catch a bus to work so that she didn't have to worry about filling up her motorbike.
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