Hanoi is developing an integrated public transport network in which Metro lines serve as the backbone, electric buses provide feeder services and public bicycles cover the last mile between stations and commuters' final destinations.
Do Ba Quan, chairman of Tri Nam Digital Transport JSC, which operates the TNGo public bicycle network, said electric bicycles have become increasingly popular because they require less physical effort and are suitable for short trips of 15 to 30 minutes.
He added the service has encouraged more people to use the Metro by making it easier to travel from stations to offices and residential areas.
Phan Le Binh, chief representative of Japan-based OCG's consulting office in Vietnam, said public bicycles could address one of the biggest barriers to public transport: the distance commuters must walk at both ends of their journeys.
"Many people are still reluctant to walk long distances. Bicycle-sharing services give commuters another option while also promoting greener travel," he said.
However, both experts said the network would need far more docking stations, particularly near Metro stations and major bus interchanges, to reach its full potential.
Quan added users were often discouraged because docking stations were too far from their destinations or additional charges applied when bicycles were returned outside designated locations.
Tri Nam plans to expand its fleet in September or October and has urged Hanoi to allocate more pavement space for docking stations.
Experts also called for public bicycles to be integrated into the city's unified ticketing and payment system for Metro and buses, saying a seamless payment system would encourage more people to switch from private vehicles to public transport.