It is expected that in early October 2025, the Urban Traffic Management and Operation Center (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction) will start a renovation project, organizing a priority lane for bicycles on Mai Chi Tho Avenue (from Nguyen Co Thach Street to D1 Street, 5.78km long). The project has a total investment of more than 12.7 billion VND, expected to be completed by the end of December 2025.
According to the design of phase 1, the bicycle lane is 2 m wide on the sidewalk, narrowing to 1.5 m at the section passing through the bridge, constructed with a tight asphalt concrete structure, with clearly marked lines to distinguish it from the motor vehicle lane. Design speed 20 km/h, maximum slope 4%. The project also builds a lighting, drainage system, parking lot and bicycle station.
By 2026, Ho Chi Minh City plans to expand two more sections, connecting from Nguyen Co Thach Street to Saigon Riverside Park and from D1 intersection to Vo Nguyen Giap Street, connecting with An Phu metro station (route No. 1).
Mai Chi Tho Avenue is currently one of the most modern and airy roads in Ho Chi Minh City, playing the role of a backbone connecting the city center with the new urban area of Thu Thiem, Dong and the provinces through the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway. With spacious sidewalks and many trees, this place is expected to become a model route for green transportation, contributing to improving the quality of urban space.
As soon as they heard about the project, many people living around the area expressed their agreement. Mr. Duong Minh Hung (An Khanh Ward) said that exercising by bicycle on the route is still dangerous when having to travel with cars and motorbikes. Many of my friends also like to ride exercise bicycles but are concerned about traffic safety. If there is a separate lane, not only me but many others will feel more secure when traveling on this route," said Mr. Hung.
Similarly, Ms. Phung Anh Suong (Saigon ward) shared her wish to take her young children out on bicycles every morning: "This is a way to help children form a habit of movement, become more attached to the city's safe green space".
The Urban Traffic Management and Operation Center said that the Khai Thanh - Thanh Cong consortium is the only contractor participating in the bidding and has won the project construction contract with a value of more than 12.6 billion VND, about 35 million VND lower than the package price.
According to the representative of the Urban Traffic Management and Operation Center, in the context of increasingly crowded urban areas and increasing environmental pollution, developing infrastructure for bicycles is an inevitable trend. Dedicated roads for bicycles not only help ensure safety and reduce collisions with motor vehicles, but also contribute to improving the quality of living space, building a more civilized, green and sustainable city.
