The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has announced plans to implement dedicated bike lanes, starting with a pilot project on Mai Chi Tho Street. This initiative aims to promote a green lifestyle, reduce emissions, and offer residents an eco-friendly transportation option. However, expanding this model to other areas faces significant challenges, including limited land availability, inadequate infrastructure, and encroachment on sidewalks in central districts.
The bike lane pilot on Mai Chi Tho Street faces challenges before wider implementation – Photo: NLĐO
According to the Department of Construction, referencing the National Technical Regulation QCVN 07:2023/BXD, bike lanes can be arranged in two ways: shared with pedestrians on sidewalks or as a dedicated lane on the roadway. Both options present difficulties. In central areas like Pham Ngu Lao, Ly Tu Trong, and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, sidewalks are often too narrow, occupied by parked vehicles, street vendors, utility boxes, and other obstructions. This leaves insufficient space for pedestrians, falling short of the minimum 1.5-meter standard. Adding bike lanes would further restrict pedestrian space, compromising safety and convenience.
Allocating space on the roadway is equally impractical. Most inner-city roads have narrow cross-sections and high vehicle density, leading to frequent congestion. Introducing bike lanes in such conditions could exacerbate conflicts and traffic jams. The Department of Construction emphasizes the need for thorough research to ensure alignment with overall traffic planning, real travel demands, and existing infrastructure.
Initially, the Urban Traffic Management Center will pilot a 6-kilometer bike lane on the sidewalk of Mai Chi Tho Street (between Nguyen Co Thach and D1). The project is expected to be completed and operational by December 2025. After this trial period, authorities will monitor usage patterns, assess effectiveness, and evaluate suitability before considering expansion to other areas.
The Department of Construction views the development of an urban cycling network as essential for a modern, green, and sustainable city. However, realizing this vision requires comprehensive measures: sidewalk upgrades, improved traffic awareness, addressing street encroachment, and public campaigns to shift commuting habits.
When Will Sidewalk Barriers Be Removed in Ho Chi Minh City?
Regarding sidewalk barriers, the Department of Construction notes their introduction in 2017 on central streets like Pasteur, Ly Tu Trong, Nguyen Binh Khiem, and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia to prevent motorbikes from using sidewalks during traffic jams. This measure enhanced pedestrian safety and urban aesthetics, later expanding to districts near parks, hospitals, and schools.
However, these barriers pose challenges for individuals with disabilities, the visually impaired, and other pedestrian groups. By late 2024, with the enforcement of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP on road traffic violations, motorbike presence on sidewalks significantly decreased. Improved traffic behavior made central sidewalks more accessible.
On April 11, 2025, the Department of Construction issued a directive for relevant units to review and remove barriers, enhancing pedestrian accessibility and aesthetics. Many central sidewalks have already removed barriers during upgrades, creating safer and more pedestrian-friendly spaces.
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