Grab Bike is the most popular ride-hailing service in Vietnam and although it is easy to download and set up there are a lot of additional features that you may be unaware of and you may even be worried about the logistics of how to actually sit on the bike – do you hold onto the driver? do you lean to the side when going around corners? All of these small but significant things may contribute together to give you a lack of confidence to order a Grab Bike and simply stick with a Grab Car – so this article aims to outline the very basics of getting and using a Grab Bike so that you can soon be zooming around the streets in a cheap and cheerful manner!
Mastering Grab Bike: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe Meeting and Convenient Ride-Hailing
Requesting a Ride
Using Grab Bike is simple and user-friendly. The first step is to download the Grab app from the App Store or Google Play Store and create an account. Please note that it is essential to have a Vietnamese phone number to use the app as the driver needs to be able to phone or text you. Once logged in, select the Grab Bike option from the menu and enter your desired pick-up and drop-off locations.
The app will then display available drivers nearby, along with estimated arrival times and fare prices. You then simply choose and the app will find you a driver. When a driver accepts your request, the app will provide real-time updates on their location, allowing you to track their progress on the map as they make their way to your pick-up point. In addition, it will provide you with a photo of the driver as well as their registration plate –it is important to check this before getting on a Grab bike as there are lots of Grab drivers around and it is easy to accidentally get on the wrong Grab bike!
Cancelling the order
Sometimes you think that you have got it right and then it is not until you have booked that you realize that you have put in the wrong pick up point or wrong destination or ordered a car instead of a bike etc. The good news is that there is a cancel button – which is located at the bottom of the main screen. Simply scroll down and you will find the red button where you can easily cancel.
It is important to note that you should try not to cancel too often as the cancellations are kept in the system and if you have made a habit of cancelling a lot then you may find it more difficult to get a Grab as your name will be flagged up as having a lot of cancellations and drivers will be more reluctant to take the risk of coming to pick you up and then you cancelling midway as they have been stuck in traffic etc.
Read more: How To Use Grab Taxi in Vietnam + Alternatives: A Complete Guide
Sending Your Location to the Driver
Sometimes it is not so obvious where the pickup point is e.g. if you are in a shopping mall and there are various entrances/exits etc. As a result, you can assist the process by taking a photo of your location by using the photo aspect which is found when you scroll down.
In addition, you can send text messages (these are translated so you and your driver can communicate if your location is a little complicated to find).
The Grab app is easy and straightforward to use
Safely Sitting on the Bike
Once your Grab Bike arrives, you may be unsure about exactly how to get on the bike without being embarrassed and knowing the bike and the driver are over! There are the simple steps you can follow :
- Getting On: Approach the bike from the side and wait for the driver to stabilize the bike before mounting – this is very important as if you try and get on the bike before the driver is ready you can knock over the bike. Step over the seat and straddle the bike with your legs on either side. Use the footrests for support and balance as you settle onto the seat. Make sure that you are settled in the middle of the seat before you start rather than mid way as a lot of movement whilst you are being driven can cause the driver to wobble!
- Hand Placement: When you are an accomplished Grab Bike passenger you will be able to sit on the back of the bike and simply put your hands on your knees. However, when you are first starting you may feel more secure by holding onto the grab handles located at the back side of the seat.
- Riding Position: You may notice some ladies riding a Grab Bike sidesaddle – this is usually because they are wearing a short skirt and it is difficult to straddle the bike. The side saddle is a much more difficult riding position so it is only recommended for an established Grab Bike passenger.
- Typically, you simply sit facing forward with your legs astride the bike and simply stay still – there is no need to lean to any side and in fact the less you move the more stable the bike will be.
- Getting Off: When arriving at your destination, make sure that you wait for the bike to come to a complete stop before getting off. Slowly dismount the bike by swinging your leg over the seat and stepping down onto the ground.
Read more: Tan Son Nhat Airport International Terminal: a complete guide
It is fine to put your hand on the driver’s shoulder when getting on or off the Grab bike
Location Sharing
One great safety feature of the Grab app is the ability to share your real-time location – which is wonderful if you are out late and get a Grab bike late at night The process is very simple, with there being a prominent “Share My Trip” option button that you can press before starting a Grab ride.
This provides the designated contacts with a live map view of the trip route and estimated time of arrival which offers an additional sense of security.
Real-time Trip Monitoring
In addition to location sharing, the Grab app incorporates real-time trip monitoring to enhance passenger safety. One notable feature of this functionality is the ability to receive notifications if the trip route is unexpectedly interrupted. For example, if the driver makes an unplanned stop along the route, such as for refueling or taking a break, Grab automatically sends a message to the passenger to check if everything is okay.
In conclusion, Grab Bike is a wonderful way to zoom around towns or cities. The first time you try a bike you may be worried about all sorts of things from getting on and off, the driver taking you off to some random location to not being able to find the driver. However, the process is simple and straightforward and with the tips covered in this article, you can confidently use Grab Bike to get to your destination safely and efficiently, enjoying the convenience and flexibility of zooming around on a Grab Bike on your daily travels.
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