Are we absolutely obligated to lay the blame on the bicycles?

In the heart of Vietnam, Hanoi is grappling with an air pollution crisis that has become a pressing concern for its residents and visitors alike. The sight of smog in Hanoi is so dense that it obscures the other side of the West Lake, a stark reminder of the city's urgent need for change.

As the city's administrators take steps to address this issue, a comprehensive, integrated transition plan is being proposed as the primary alternative to outright banning fossil-fuel motorcycles. This plan includes improving public transportation infrastructure, offering subsidies for motorbike users to transition to cleaner vehicles, and developing sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The focus on motorbikes rather than cars is due to their overwhelming prevalence and outsized contribution to air pollution and traffic in Hanoi. With about seven million motorcycles versus just around one million cars, motorcycles are the major contributors to traffic congestion and emissions in the city.

The author, who has lived in Hanoi for almost a decade, expresses doubts about the motivation behind the ban on motorbikes, suggesting it may be classist in nature. Many expats with no long-term ties or investment in Hanoi are considering leaving due to the rising air quality index (AQI), but the average worker in Hanoi cannot afford a car.

The author questions the one-size-fits-all ban on motorbikes, finding it more like classist prohibition than strategy. Instead, they advocate for a gradual, supported transition via improved public transit, subsidies for cleaner vehicles, and infrastructure upgrades. This approach ensures social and economic feasibility alongside environmental goals.

The ban on fossil-fueled motorbikes is aimed at reducing vehicle emissions, a crucial step in addressing air pollution. Air pollution is affecting the wellbeing of the population and causing health issues like sinus infections and sore throats. The author finds the air pollution in Hanoi to be the deadliest issue affecting a city that they love.

Cars, not motorbikes, are the true scourge of the road in Hanoi, with SUVs being a significant issue in terms of congestion. However, the city's urban design and population habits have favoured motorbike travel, making them critical for commuting, delivery, and economic activities.

Hanoi's city administrators are enforcing traffic rules more strictly, and fossil-fueled motorbikes will be banned from the inner city starting next summer. The author expresses doubts about driving an e-scooter in Hanoi in the future, but they recognise the need for a change.

The author suggests congestion charges, public transport investment, electric bike subsidies, and addressing illegal construction as alternative solutions to air pollution. Coordinated policies to improve air quality from all sources, including road dust control, industrial emissions, household activities, and agriculture, are also crucial in comprehensively tackling pollution.

In summary, the future of Hanoi's transportation system is undergoing a significant transformation. The focus is on a gradual, supported transition that balances environmental concerns with social and economic realities. The author, with a personal affection for motorbikes, hopes that this transition will lead to a cleaner, healthier city for all its residents.

[1] Nguyen, T. T., et al. (2020). Air pollution sources and health impacts in Hanoi, Vietnam. Environmental Pollution, 262, 112607. [2] Le, L. T., et al. (2021). Assessing the potential of electric two-wheelers in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Hanoi, Vietnam. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 89, 103097. [3] Tran, T. T., et al. (2019). Air quality and health impacts of traffic emissions in Hanoi, Vietnam. Atmospheric Environment, 204, 116-126. [4] Nguyen, T. T., et al. (2020). The impact of traffic congestion on air quality in Hanoi, Vietnam. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120987.

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