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On Tuesday morning the lane, painted brownish-red, running from Kenh 2 Bridge to the Mai Chi Tho–Nguyen Co Thach intersection was almost entirely occupied by motorbikes.
Many motorcyclists ignored signage before the Kenh 2 Bridge access indicating the lane was meant only for bicycles amid traffic congestion, leaving cyclists trapped between motor vehicles or forcing them to lift their bicycles onto the sidewalk.
Motorbikes drive on the lane designated for bicycles in Ho Chi Minh City, January 2025. Video by VnExpress/Dinh Van
The bicycle lane costing some VND14.2 billion (US$540,300), stretches 5.8 km long and two meters wide, and is marked by a distinct color and signage.
The "green corridor" connects major residential areas and was inaugurated on the last day of 2025.
The traffic police are conducting regular patrols and imposing fines of VND700,000 on violators.
Some offenders said they entered the lane because it appeared empty to escape congestion.
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A cyclist rides onto the sidewalk while the priority lane is being encroached upon by motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City, January 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van |
Doan Van Tan, director of the Department of Transport's Urban Traffic Management and Operations Center, said since the lane is new many road users are not yet familiar with it.
Besides, because it is a mixed-traffic corridor, motorbikes continue to enter it during peak hours out of habit, he said.
The center is coordinating with the traffic police and other authorities to increase public communication, he said.
It plans to install more signage, motorcycle prohibition lights, enforcement cameras, and enhanced visual identifiers to help road users develop compliance habits.
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The paved lanes and marked lines on the sidewalk designated for bicycles in HCMC are being used by motorbikes, January 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van |
The Cat Lai traffic police said it would further intensify patrols and use automated enforcement via surveillance cameras to ensure safety.
According to the city Department of Construction, authorities will consider extending the bicycle lane to Vo Nguyen Giap Street all the way to An Phu metro station.
Then, the network would be studied for expansion into the city center, linking commercial areas, offices, parks, historical sites, and the bus and metro systems, it said.
Roads under consideration for having bicycle lanes include Nguyen Van Cu, Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, Nguyen Hue, Ham Nghi, Ton Duc Thang, Dong Khoi, Cong Xa Paris, and Le Duan in the city's former central District 1.
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Despite the "no entry" sign, many motorcyclists still rode in the red lane designated for bicycles in HCMC on the morning of Jan. 6, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van |
