Spring 2025: Reflecting on the Enduring Vitality of the Bicycle

December

Spring 2025: Reflecting on the Enduring Vitality of the Bicycle

More than 200 years ago, in 1817, the world’s first bicycle was invented by the German Baron Karl von Drais. It was called the “Draisienne,” or simply, “Drais’ bicycle.” While many technical inventions from the same period, such as the steam engine or Morse’s telegraph, have been long forgotten, the bicycle remains alive and widely popular across the globe today!

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The Introduction and Development of Bicycles in Vietnam

In Vietnam, it wasn’t until 80 years after its invention that the first bicycle was introduced to Saigon in 1897. Since then, the bicycle has never been absent from the lives of Vietnamese people.

Bicycles During the Subsidy Period

In the North, after the peace of 1954, bicycles were still only common in a few large cities. During the war and rationing period, the bicycle was the main mode of transportation for people across the country, including the capital, Hanoi. Recognizing this demand, Hanoi established the Thong Nhat Bicycle Factory in 1960. However, the factory could only meet a small portion of the public’s needs.

Because of the scarcity, bicycles at that time were treated like goods sold under a distribution system. Acquiring a bicycle wasn’t easy.

As valuable assets, bicycles were managed closely, similar to cars or motorcycles today. Each bicycle had to be registered and assigned a license plate. Buying and selling bicycles was only legal when sanctioned by the authorities. The purchase process was more complicated than buying a car today. Sellers had to write a bill of sale, and then have it verified by the authorities. The buyer would then take this certified document, along with their papers, to the police to complete the registration. The police would thoroughly check the frame number and registration number before issuing a new registration. For new bikes, sellers had to provide something like an export certificate.

At that time, most bicycles were domestically produced, with some imported from socialist countries. Domestic brands like Thống Nhất and Hoàn Kiếm were commonly distributed, while imported bicycles came mainly from China, such as Phoenix and Vĩnh Cửu, or from socialist countries, like Soviet-made Sputnik, Czech-made Favorit and Eska, and German-made Diamant and Mifa.

Post-1975: Bicycle Boom and the End of Registration

After the country reunified in 1975, bicycle production truly boomed in the northern provinces. People could simply ask relatives in Saigon to buy a bicycle frame, and then assemble it with locally sourced parts. From that point on, the government stopped requiring bicycle registration!

In recent years, as motorcycles and cars have become more common, bicycles have been… forgotten! However, due to the traffic infrastructure lagging behind the growth of cars and motorcycles, leading to massive traffic jams and environmental pollution, bicycles have made a comeback as an affordable, traffic-relieving, eco-friendly mode of transport that also promotes physical health.

Bicycles in the Modern Era

To encourage the use of bicycles for improving health, protecting the environment, and advancing society, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 2018 to recognize June 3rd each year as World Bicycle Day. This day serves to highlight the flexibility and sustainability of bicycles and cycling. Many Western cities have developed bike-sharing programs to mitigate environmental pollution.

Since 2022, public bike services have been launched in Vietnam in several cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau, Haiphong, and in the summer of 2023, Hanoi. Hanoi was the first city to introduce electric bicycles alongside regular bicycles.

Today, bicycles are no longer considered valuable assets but are still diverse in types and values. For just a few million VND, one can own a bike of their choice. Manufacturers make bikes with different features, sizes, designs, and qualities for children of all ages. For adults, bicycles come in various styles, colors, and functions, whether for commuting, exercising, or leisure. High-end bicycles for adults can even cost as much as a luxury scooter!

For young people, owning a modern, stylish, and youthful bicycle is a dream for many, not only for the physical benefits it brings but also for the thrill it provides for those who love to travel. With a bike and a few necessary supplies, one can explore anywhere across the country, discover nature’s beauty, conquer new lands, and have unforgettable experiences along the way. Moreover, bicycles connect millions of hearts through green, environmentally friendly journeys.