Chinese bike-sharing pioneer Ofo, which claims 200 million users, now appears on the skids, with nearly 11 million customers demanding the return of their deposits. (Photo: AFP/Wang Zhao) Bright orange, yellow and blue shared bikes have flooded the sidewalks of major Chinese cities for the past two years as the sector's main rivals Ofo and Mobike deposited millions of the two-wheelers in front of office buildings and subway exits in an attempt to drown their rival. A tech start-up darling after its launch in 2014, Ofo attracted major funding from Chinese and international investors and had been valued at more than US$2 billion. In a swift reversal the firm, which claims 200 million users, now appears on the skids, with nearly 11 million customers demanding the return of their deposits. At the group's Beijing headquarters, a "very angry" Mr Wang said he has been seeking to recover his 199 yuan (€23, US$29) deposit since Nov 13. Wang "has a car and a motorbike" and no longer … [Read more...] about China bike sharing pioneer Ofo hits the skids
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E bike brands forge new road trend
E-bike brands forge new road trend, photo: Duc Thanh Mother of two in Hanoi, Nguyen Huong Lan, is excited by VinFast’s first electric motorbike. “If you’re a fan of eco-friendly transportation, then these roadworthy electric motorcycles are for you. I believe the electric motorbike will be widely used,” she said. Her reasons for the praise include the “easy buy, easy ride” theme, and lack of fuel smell and fewer emissions. Lan is not the only one enthused about the electric motorbike. It is predicted that the electric scooter and motorcycle market globally will hit 60 million unit shipments by 2024 – the equivalent of $55 billion, according to market insights. It is safe to say that there is a lot of room for manufacturers to set their foot in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Vietnam. NEW PLAYER Doan Linh, CEO of manufacturer Pega, said that Vietnam has been slower than other countries in terms of electric vehicle development, … [Read more...] about E bike brands forge new road trend
Hội An set to become a bicycle city
Viet Nam News HỘI AN — The ancient city has developed a master plan to boost the mass use of bicycles among community members and tourists, as part of efforts to make Hội An a capital of eco-friendly tourism in Việt Nam. Architect Đinh Đang Hải from HeathBridge Việt Nam said at a workshop on the development of a comprehensive bicycle plan in Hội An on Wednesday that more than 100 parks, communal gardens and neighbourhood sites have been built to create favourable conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The workshop, a prelude to the "Establishing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan and Free/low-cost Bicycle Sharing Programme in Hội An City" project, was held in co-operation with HeathBridge Việt Nam and the city with funding from the German development agency (GIZ). The project won the Global Urban Mobility Challenge Award of the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) in Leipzig, Germany in May. “Hội … [Read more...] about Hội An set to become a bicycle city
Germany supports Hoi An with “Bike City” program development
Germany supports Hoi An with “Bike City” program developmentBy Ha Linh Foreign tourists cycle while sightseeing in Hoi An City – PHOTO: NHAN TAM DANANG – The German government has sponsored the ancient town of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province with a total investment of 178,000 euros, or VND4.1 billion, to develop bicycle-based traffic and free or low-cost bicycle-sharing projects, which are scheduled for deployment by September 2019, heard attendees at a seminar on the development of bike traffic in Hoi An City. Speaking at the seminar, organized on October 24 by the Hoi An government in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Health Bridge Vietnam, Nguyen Van Son, vice chairman of Hoi An City, said the project had resulted from the Global Urban Mobility Challenge Award of the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), held by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development … [Read more...] about Germany supports Hoi An with “Bike City” program development
Urban railway no threat to bike firms
Imminent urban railway systems aim to help reduce traffic jams in the city, Photo: Le Toan HANOI’S NEW IMAGE The first test run of the Cat Linh-Hadong elevated urban railway was conducted from September 20, marking the first finished urban railway project in Hanoi and Vietnam, and opening a new era where public transport can replace private transport in urban areas. According to Hanoi’s general master plan by 2030 with vision to 2050 approved by the prime minister in Decision No.519/QD-TTg dated March 31, 2016, Hanoi’s urban railway network will have eight routes running on elevated runways and underground, with total length of 318 kilometres. Hanoi’s urban railway system is expected to increase the number of people using public transport to 35-45 per cent, contributing to the city’s socioeconomic development, reducing traffic jams, and improving environmental conditions. Assessing the effect of the urban railway on the socioeconomic development, … [Read more...] about Urban railway no threat to bike firms
Ninja Van offers free 5-day logistics services in 4 cities
Ninja Van offers free 5-day logistics services in 4 citiesBy Van Ly Ninja Van offers logistics services on motorcycles and trucks. In this file photo, a Ninja Van delivery man is checking parcels - PHOTO: VAN LY HANOI – Ninja Van, a Singapore-based logistics company, on Tuesday, August 14, launched free delivery services for a limited period of five days in four cities---HCMC, Hanoi, Thu Dau Mot in Binh Duong Province and Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province. The promotional program, which will run from August 8 to October 24, will be applicable to local enterprises and vendors registering for the complimentary five-day delivery services, with no limit on the number of parcels transported. The gratis services aim to support local businesses and sellers in these cities (excluding the outlying areas), as well as attract new customers. Phan Xuan Dung, country head of Ninja Van in Vietnam, said that the promotional program will encourage local businesses and vendors to experience … [Read more...] about Ninja Van offers free 5-day logistics services in 4 cities
Uber wants to do it all: ride-share, car-share, train tickets
Uber Technologies Inc is looking to be virtually a one-stop transportation shopping app, saying on Wednesday it will add new services, including car-sharing and train tickets. Later this month in San Francisco, the ride-hailing firm will launch Uber Rent in collaboration with Getaround, a peer-to-peer car sharing service that offers privately owned cars for rent. “We’re going beyond cars. We are about mobility - making mobility available to everyone, everywhere,” Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said at a forum on Wednesday in Washington. “We want to be part of the solution.” Uber also announced a partnership with Masabi, which offers mobile ticketing services for public transport, to let customers book and use tickets for train, bus and ferry services in the app. Uber is also expanding Uber Bike by JUMP to Washington, D.C., following its rollout in San Francisco earlier this year, and new efforts to promote car sharing. Uber is vowing to … [Read more...] about Uber wants to do it all: ride-share, car-share, train tickets
HCM City to launch bike sharing system
Vice chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, Tran Vinh Tuyen has asked the Department of Transportation to coordinate with South Korean Hyosung Corporation, relevant departments and enterprises to research and implement the project. The launch of the Mobike scheme will offer visitors more convenience and make their trips around the city more affordable. The bike sharing system also aims to promote public transportation, reduce the number of private vehicles on the road and improve the city’s environment. The new service is part of the project on turning Ho Chi Minh city into a smart city until 2020 and vision towards 2025. By QUOC HUNG – Translated by Kim Khanh Tags: bike sharing system high-tech Mobike Ho Chi Minh City … [Read more...] about HCM City to launch bike sharing system
Italian tourists join biking tour to promote Viet Nam’s tourism
Italian tourists join biking tour to promote Viet Nam’s tourism Update: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 Views: 20 Four Italian nationals last Thursday wrapped up their 24-day Viet Nam trip, including a 1,000-kilometer-plus biking tour stretching from the former imperial city of Hue to Vung Tau Province to promote Viet Nam’s tourism image to Italian people. The four Italian tourists pose for a photo during their trip to Vietnam The 12-day cycling tour by the four Italian tourists, including three 64-year-old retired workers named Garbin Mauro, Cacciatori Vittorio, Mancin Vicenzo and a 54-year-old chief police named Mantovan Mario, started on February 26 and concluded on March 10, taking them to famous travel destinations spanning from central Viet Nam to the southern region on the 1,000-km journey. During their biking trip, they grasped opportunities to showcase the beauty of Viet Nam to Italian friends back in their homeland … [Read more...] about Italian tourists join biking tour to promote Viet Nam’s tourism
GrabBike drivers stage strike over new commission ratio in Ho Chi Minh City
Scores of GrabBike drivers in Ho Chi Minh City launched a strike on Wednesday to show their dissatisfaction with the higher commission ratio applied by the ride-hailing service from this year. The on-strike drivers turned off their app and flocked to Grab Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City head office in District 10, but no agreement was reached between the company and its drivers. One driver, Thanh, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that Grab Vietnam hiked the commission ratio, which it calls an ‘app usage fee,’ from 20 percent to 23.6 percent on January 1. GrabBike is the motorbike taxi service, locally known as ‘xe om,’ owned and operated by Grab, which also offers taxi-like GrabCar and shipping service GrabExpress. Like other ride-sharing apps, Grab splits the revenue earned from each ride with its drivers, who it refers to as ‘partners.’ The new ‘app usage fee’ means GrabBike drivers will have to pay Grab Vietnam 23.6 percent of the … [Read more...] about GrabBike drivers stage strike over new commission ratio in Ho Chi Minh City