BÀI CÁ NHÂN

Class: Writing 5-05

Week: 7
Name: Nguyễn Hoài Ân
Lecturer: James – Nguyễn Hải Long

WEEK 7 ASSIGNMENT
(individual)

Write an argumentative essay (at least 300 words) about the following topic:
Should we reduce motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City?
Note:
1. Use at least 05 sources in the essay.
2. Use APA citation.

Whether or not motorbikes should be reduced in Ho Chi Minh City has been a
source of intense debate. While some advocate this suggestion, there are still many
others who are against it. From my perspective, I support the latter’s view. This
essay will discuss the issue in detail.

According to the draft proposal, which has just been submitted to the HCMC
Fatherland Front Committee by the city's transport department, HCMC plans to
limit the number of motorbikes from 2021-2025, and ban them completely in
districts 1, 3, 5, and 10 from 2025 onwards (Hung, 2019). Therefore, those who
hold that viewpoint frequently agree that Ho Chi Minh City's streets are congested
with motorbikes. As a good remedy for traffic congestion, it is advised that they
should be decreased from the City Center. Their argument appears to have some
merit. Nonetheless, decreasing motorbikes is not the only solution to improve
traffic systems. Taiwan has twice the population density as Vietnam, at around 688
people per square kilometer, along with a higher rate of motorbike ownership (67
motorbikes for every 100 people compared to Vietnam's 50). Even with such high
motorbike and population density, Taiwan's traffic jams are never as bad as in
Vietnam. (Trunkslessj, 2022)
The first persuasive argument against banning motorbikes is that they are
significantly more handy and time-saving than other forms of transportation simply
because riders can halt anywhere they choose. There is no denying the reality that
parking a motorcycle in this city is easier than parking a car or a bus. Riders of
motorcycles can also plan their own routes to the locations they need to go. To put
it another way, they typically do not have to wait in line at bus stations to change
their bus routes, which saves them a ton of time. Moreover, you will pay for less
petrol. Compared to cars, motorcycles save more on fuel because of range. The
average fuel consumption rate for motorcycles is 30-40km/liter, whereas cars
average 10-15km/liter. With a lighter load, motorcycles can go further with a lot
less fuel ("Advantages of riding a motorbike rather than a car", 2017). Motorcycles
should not be prohibited as a result of these characteristics.
Another feasible advantage of using motorcycles is that it helps to improve the
user’s health. Motorcycle riding can have risks, but if you are a careful driver, you
will not have to worry about this. According to Scott Autten (2022), riding a
motorbike has several health benefits such as improving brain health, enhancing
posture, and improving muscle strength. Additionally, insurance costs for bikes are
far less than for cars, saving you or your business high insurance costs, which is
extremely beneficial especially if you are a fleet manager.

To sum up, a motorbike is not only swift and convenient in large cities like Ho Chi
Minh City, but its advantages for city dwellers are undeniable as well. Therefore, I
believe that a reduction in the number of motorcycles is probably not a smart idea.

Reference
Trunkslessj. (2022, April 20). Vietnam should rethink its motorbike ban.
VnExpress. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/readers-views/vietnam-should-rethink-its-
motorbike-ban-4453414.html
Hung, L. (2019, March 4). HCMC motorbike ban won't work: traffic experts.
VnExpress. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/economy/hcmc-motorbike-ban-
won-t-work-traffic-experts-3886059.html
Advantages of riding a motorbike rather than a car – DirectAsia. (2017, May 11).
Retrieved from https://www.directasia.com/blog/10-reasons-why-motorcycle-
owners-have-it-better/
Scott, A. 5 Health benefits of motorcycle riding. Thrive.
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/5-health-benefits-of-motorcycle-riding/