Hue to pilot public bike-sharing scheme

An innovative public bike-sharing scheme has been launched by Hue City, the International Cooperation Agency of Germany (GIZ) and tech firm Vietsoftpro to develop a bicycle transportation plan for 2021-2026 that mobilises private investment for bike-sharing.
Hue to pilot public bike-sharing scheme ảnh 1Representatives of Hue city, International Cooperation Agency of Germany (GIZ) and Vietsoftpro sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an innovative Public Bike-Sharing (PBS) scheme. (Photo courtesy GIZ)

Thua Thien – Hue (VNS/VNA) - An innovative public bike-sharing schemehas been launched by Hue City, the International Cooperation Agency of Germany(GIZ) and tech firm Vietsoftpro to develop a bicycle transportation plan for2021-2026 that mobilises private investment for bike-sharing.

GIZ said the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was signed during ‘Movingto Digitalisation’ week in the city in late April, promised a public-privatepartnership (PPP) between Hue and the GIZ to support public bike-sharing.

The partnership model is supported by the DeveloPPP fund, a financing mechanismof the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ),and managed and implemented by the GIZ under the umbrella of the ‘Support to Vietnamfor the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SIPA)’ project.

The DeveloPPP mechanism aims to encourage private sector contributions to thesustainable development objectives of local governments, according to GIZ.Vietsoftpro is the first Vietnamese company to receive direct technical supportunder DeveloPPP since it opened to local enterprises in late 2019.

Under the partnership model, Vietsoftpro is responsible for the development andmaintenance of the bike-sharing software/ application (App). Vietsoftpro willalso cover the investment and operational costs of the scheme while GIZprovides support to develop the city’s bicycle transportation development plan.To ensure the scheme runs effectively, GIZ will also conduct capacity buildingactivities and provide technical support.

Public bike-sharing is an important part of an urban mobility transformationthat links industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable development. It not onlycontributes significantly to emissions reduction in the transport sector andthe resulting improvement in air quality but also improves the convenience andquality of public transport services for residents and visitors.

Rapid urbanisation has led to pressure on urban public services, includingtransport and the environment. Urban planning and road networks in Vietnam aredesigned for motorised transport and largely disregard the rights and needs ofcyclists. Experience from cities across the world shows safe cyclinginfrastructure is a key consideration when people choose their preferred modeof transport.

Cycling is a healthy, efficient, and sustainable means of transport for cities,reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions and improving air quality andthe health of urban residents.

Several cities in Vietnam have been encouraging their citizens to cycle bypiloting cycling routes. The challenges faced by these pilot schemes haverevealed the need for standard guidelines on the development and design ofcycling infrastructure.

GIZ will work with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to provide support byconnecting Vietnam with international organisations, bringing internationalexperience and expertise into the process./.
VNA

See more

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. (Illustrative Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Cold, wet weather expected during Tet holiday

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam urged to embrace alternatives to plastics for sustainable future

A research group from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is sounding the alarm on Vietnam's plastic waste crisis and advocating for a transformative shift towards sustainable alternatives.

A coastal area under the nature-based mangrove restoration project in Soc Trang. (Photo: VNA)

Project helps restore mangrove forests through nature-based solutions in Soc Trang

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Coca-Cola Foundation, organised a conference on January 16 to launch a project on increasing the coastal resilience of the Mekong Delta through mangrove restoration and nature-based solutions in the province.

Experts and representatives from businesses join a talk show at the event (Photo: VNA)

Programme supports businesses in practicing ESG

A programme was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on January 16 to support businesses in Vietnam in measuring and implementing comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices in human resources management to improve their competitive edge in the global supply chain.

Participants at the launch ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Ca Mau takes stand against illegal wildlife use

A campaign against the illegal use of wildlife was launched by the People's Committee of U Minh district in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau in collaboration with the Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW) on January 14.

Induced seismicity has been continually observed in Kong Plong district since 2021. (Photo: VNA)

4.2 magnitude quake strikes Kon Tum province

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Kong Plong district in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on early January 9 morning, according to the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geophysics.

The over 220 kg bomb is carried to a secure storage area in the central province of Quang Binh for safe detonation. (Photo: VNA)

Over-220kg bomb with intact fuse safely handled in Quang Binh

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Vietnam confirmed on January 4 that its experts and mobile bomb disposal team have safely handled and moved a bomb weighing over 220 kg to a secure storage area in the central province of Quang Binh, where it will await safe detonation.

Workers collect waste for recycling in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Classifying solid waste at source mandatory from January

Domestic solid waste must be classified at each household from the beginning of this year, according to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, which is considered a breakthrough step towards turning waste into resources.

One Javan pangolin released back to nature (Photo: VNA)

Twelve Javan pangolins released back to nature

The Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh, in collaboration with the Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW), successfully released 12 Javan pangolins (Manis Javanica) back into the wild on January 2.