Vietnam's capital Hanoi to ban motorbikes by 2030
Past discussions about banning motorbikes in Hanoi were met with strong opposition by people who said say they could not do without motorbikes
Officials in Vietnam’s traffic-choked capital Hanoi vowed on Tuesday to banish motorbikes by 2030 to ease environment and congestions woes, a decision that swiftly divided a city where two-wheelers are the main means of transport.
Hanoi is famed for legions of motorbikes – sometimes stacked with entire families or overloaded with deliveries – that clog roads in a fast-growing city with limited public transport.
There are five million motorbikes among a population of about seven million, compared to half a million cars on the road.
Yet critics have blamed the emissions-heavy motorbikes for Hanoi’s deteriorating air quality and worsening traffic congestion.
The decision to ban motorbikes by 2030 was approved by 95 out of 96 city councillors at a meeting on Tuesday.
This idea is totally insane
Officials said the number of vehicles was growing at an “alarming” rate, according to a report on the city government’s website.