The cycling lanes on both sides of Mai Chi Tho Boulevard were largely finished on Dec. 28, newly paved with asphalt and marked with red paint.
Doan Van Tan, director of the Urban Traffic Management and Operation Center, said Mai Chi Tho Boulevard was selected as it met the necessary conditions for implementation. The bicycle lane both adds new infrastructure and improves safety, meeting the growing demand for cycling in urban areas.
The lane is approximately 5.8 kilometers long, running from Nguyen Co Thach Street to D1, with an investment cost of more than VND12.7 billion ($483,200).
The lane is 2 meters wide, taking up about one-third of the sidewalk. Sections that intersect with residential access roads are painted red for easy identification.
At bridge crossings where the sidewalk narrows, part of the roadway has been painted red with dashed markings to create a separate lane for bicycles.
The route curves under rows of trees on the sidewalk and then slopes down to the roadway, fully separated from cars and motorbikes.
According to the construction unit, the bicycle lane is not only for travel demand but is also designed as a "green corridor" connecting major urban areas such as Sala and New City with metro stations, aiming to form a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
Workers are finalizing the remaining tasks, including thermal road markings and traffic signage installation.
Ahead of handover, about 2 kilometers of the route are waiting for marking and cleaning.
"Having a dedicated lane makes me feel safer when cycling without worrying about collisions. Riding under the shady trees also feels more relaxing," said Doan Binh Bac, 57.
At the intersection with Nguyen Co Thach Street, a public bicycle station has been installed and is ready for use. Under the plan, five public bike stations will be placed along the route, enabling residents to connect to other public transport options.
After the trial phase, the city plans to extend the Mai Chi Tho bicycle lane to Vo Nguyen Giap Street in 2026, directly linking to An Phu metro station. At the same time, Nguyen Co Thach Street will be upgraded to organize two-way bicycle lanes from the Mai Chi Tho intersection to the Saigon riverside park.
