The Vietnam Administration of Technical Infrastructure (ATI) under the Ministry of Construction (MOC) launched the Technical Guideline for Bicycle Infrastructure Design in Urban Areas, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, World Resources Institute (WRI), and HealthBridge. This technical guideline is expected to help build greener, safer, and more livable cities in Vietnam.

The Technical Guideline for Bicycle Infrastructure Design, is the first of its kind in Vietnam, and has been built upon lessons learned from recent cycling infrastructure and road safety projects in Vietnamese cities, as well as insights gained from international case studies. It will enable us to ride bicycles more safely, more conveniently, and will promote a daily travel option for people of all ages and abilities across a wide variety of trip purposes.

The launch is key to Vietnam’s efforts to address the fast-growing urban population that is projected to reach 50% of the total population by 2025. Rapid urbanization leads to pressure on the management of urban public services, including a number of issues related to urban transportation and the environment. The existing urban road network often poses risks to cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and many smaller streets lack the necessary space and facilities for safe bicycle and pedestrian use.

This guideline comprises wide-ranging recommendations for designing bicycle infrastructure, highlighting five key areas of action:

• Bicycle infrastructure design
• Bicycle intersection design
• Design for minimizing traffic conflict
• Traffic signals, pavement markings and traffic signs
• Supporting facilities.

The transport sector accounts for more than 20% of global emissions, of which, road transportation is responsible for more than 70% and urban transport is responsible for around 40% of total road transport emissions. Bicycles, as part of the transport sector, are an accessible, safe, healthy, emission-free and environmentally friendly means of transport and account for 0% of emissions.

“Prioritizing bicycles as a daily means of transport is an effective, low-cost strategy that helps cities achieve their green growth goals and contributes to national net-zero emission commitments,” said Daniel Herrmann, the Chief Technical Advisor of the Project “Support to Vietnam for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement, Phase II” (VN-SIPA II), GIZ.

Retno Wihanesta, Senior Program Lead for Urban Transport Planning, World Resources Institute said “The launch of Vietnam’s first technical guideline for bicycle infrastructure design marks a significant step in achieving sustainable urban mobility in the country. We recognize the bicycle's vital role as an economical, healthy, and environmentally friendly mobility option. This guideline sets the groundwork for safer, more accessible cycling, thus promoting city ’s livability. This is a crucial initiative, and we anticipate this guideline can inspire more cities in Asia and worldwide to adopt bicycle-friendly infrastructure, fostering a healthier and inclusive urban future.”

In the past, cycling was a primary mode of transport and common throughout cities in Vietnam. However, decades of rapid increase in private motorized vehicle ownership have turned bicycles into a less common means of transportation in cities, and they receive little attention in urban transport policies.

“Cycling is not only good for human health and wellbeing, but as a method of sustainable transport it can also help to reduce pollution and lower emissions,” said Ms Nguyen Thi An, Vietnam Country Director of HealthBridge. “In order to make cities livable, safe, and sustainable, developing supporting infrastructure for bicycles should become a fundamental component in city development”. Planning and implementing bicycle infrastructure in coordination with other public transit projects will improve the efficiency of the transportation system and maximize the impact of the investment.