Join the force for European Mobility Week 16-22/09 and World CarFree Day
Hello,
Did you remember the Green Transport Day last 16th May when we encouraged people in Hanoi to try using green transport for a day for healthier environment for all of us?
There were 2,237 people made pledges through our website www.giaothongxanh.org. 958 people sent their pledges to our office. We estimated there were additional 400 individuals registered through groups or organisations. So, we had had at least 3595 people joined this attempt. If on average, everyone of us travels 10km per day, on Green Transport Day 16th May 2008, we have saved the environment with more than 35,950 green kilometres.
From 16th September to 22nd September 2008, especially on the World Carfree Day 22nd September, we invite you to join our Green Transport Week. We hope that together we can make 100,000 green kilometres. Whenever possible during this week, please try to give green transport a go!
There are many ways to make your travel greener:
- If you are using motorbike or car, you can share with another friend or your spouse to reduce the travelling vehicle on the street.
- You can switch to bus or bicycle whenever possible
- If you have been using green transport already, please continue biking, walking or taking the bus for your daily travel needs and being the Green Transport Messenger!
And do not forget to share with us and encourage other Green Transport Messenger! (You might have a chance to win a bike by sharing with us our experience).
Take these simple steps:
1. Use the green transport to work, to school or for our daily activities
2. Check our website: www.giaothongxanh.org
3. Record your Green Transport Diary on the web. Together, we aim to realise 100,000 green kilometres during the Green Transport week
3. Share with us your green transport experience and comments
4. Tell your friend to join the campaign and have fun!
When initiating Green Transport Campaign, we have been thinking of Gandhi Mahatma’ saying: Be the change you want to see in the world. Our staff have been using more green transport since then. Depending on our circumstances, we have at least took the bus, shared the motorbike or used bicycle. On the first week of September, among 6 of us, we have travelled 149 km with green transport. We have also spread the message to others and having fun. Are you ready to green your travel habit?
And lastly, we are not alone! Not only in Hanoi, this week celebrates the European Mobility week and World CarFree day. Citizens of more than 2000 cities are joining this effort with us to make clear air for all. We invite you to be a part of this big campaign.
We invite you to choose Green Transport and be ready for a green week of joy and good health!
Green Transport Team
Introduction to the Green transport day 16.05
The pollution in Hanoi is increasing with the rise of motorbikes and private cars. Green Transportation Day launches on May 16th to mark a day where the citizens of Hanoi reduce the use of motorbikes and cars to improve air quality. The citizens are encouraged to walk, cycle and use public transport to reduce petrol consumption and air pollution from combustion.
Action for the City is a non-profit organization under VUSTA, established on 12 January 2007 and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2007, Action for the City won the Vietnamese Innovation Day to implement the Green Transport Day initiative.
Green Transport Movement calls for a change to the use of transport means which are environmentally friendly. Green Transport Day is a part of the bigger Green Transport Movement. The experiences of communities and individuals on Green Transport Day will create momentum for long-term policy advocacy for a suitable environment for green transport users.
A message from Action for the City
Dear friends,
We at Action for the City are happy that you have visited us at this website. Action for the City is a local non-profit organisation, founded by a group of friends who share a dream. We dream of a city where each and everyone is happy.
During the April 30 and May 1 holiday last year, we went on a trip to a peaceful countryside. While enjoying the fresh air and the quietness there, we talked about Hanoi. We promised to each other that we will take action to make Hanoi a better place. It was there and then that the idea of Green Transport was born. After coming back to Hanoi, we sent the proposal to the World Bank's Innovation Day. A month later, we were overjoyed to hear that the project received the prize from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The Green Transport Team at Action for the City consists of Anna, Hai, Hang, Francesca, Tien and myself, Giang. Anna rides her bicycle to work every day. She sometimes complains about traffic and the extreme weather. I have two bicycles--a regular bike and a mountain bike for trips. I ride my bicycle and take buses sometimes, but I use motorbike most often. Tien, Hang and Hai don't own bicycles, so they often borrow bikes from their families.
When we started this Green Transport project, we decided to walk the talk. Anna is the best, she is our role model. I made a pledge to bike one day a week, and walk and take buses whenever possible. Hang and Hai made an effort to ride buses to work, and they "motorbike-pool" often. Francesca says goodbye to her motorbike and borrows a bicyle instead. When anyone arrives at work and announces "Today is my Green Transport Day," the rest of us proudly present her the green ribbon, a symbol of Green Transport.
Each of us is a source of inspiration and encouragement to the rest.We share our joys and frustrations of biking, taking buses and walking on the busy streets of Hanoi. When Anna arrives after a long bike ride to work (she lives about 6 miles from the office) with a tired smile, we silently admire her for her determination and committment. I sometimes come to work with annoying stories to tell about how people make fun of me riding bicycles. After venting out these stories to my team, I realize that I actually have a small difficulty and a big joy.
We want to share with you our big joy. The big joy is the trust that we and others place in you. We trust that you will overcome difficulties and frustration to do something for the environment. You also bring us joy, because when we feel hopeless, we know that you are with us in this journey.
With the big joy, we invite you to take part in Green Transport Day.
