Bicycle lanes in Hanoi deserted after 1 month of operation

TPO - After more than a month of operation, the bicycle-only road in Hanoi has fallen into a state of silence, with few people traveling.

On February 1, 2024, the Hanoi Department of Transport inaugurated the first pilot bicycle priority route in the capital, named "To Lich River Road".

The dedicated bicycle route is 4km long from Nga Tu So to Cau Giay, running along the To Lich River, of which 3m is reserved for cyclists and 1m for pedestrians. The type of bicycle allowed to participate in traffic on the pilot route is bicycles that move entirely by human power (electric bicycles are not allowed).

Bicycles on the route are connected to shared bicycle paths on other routes such as Lang, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Tran Duy Hung, Le Van Luong... through intersections: Cau Moc, Lang - Nguyen Chi Thanh - Tran Duy Hung, Lang - Le Van Luong, 361 bridge, Cot bridge, Yen Hoa bridge.

However, after a month of use, this route has fallen into a state of desertedness and desolation, and people are not interested in using it. Many items are rusty, degraded or not working, causing encroachment on the space of this special route.

"I really like cycling and often do it. I have gone down this route twice but will not go down it again because it is surrounded by garbage, and the stench from the To Lich River is so strong and unpleasant to smell. If it is not renovated, it will be very difficult for cycling enthusiasts like me to use it," said Mr. Long (32 years old, Thanh Xuan district).

From February 1, 2024, the To Lich riverside road from Moc bridge to Yen Hoa bridge was piloted by the Hanoi Department of Transport to be adjusted from a pedestrian road to a priority road for bicycles and pedestrians (a road for bicycles and pedestrians to travel together). However, after more than a month of operation, the road has become deserted, with few people passing by and using the above road.

A 3m wide two-way bicycle lane is located on the To Lich River side; a 1m wide pedestrian path is located on the Lang Street side.

According to the reporter's records, the road is almost deserted. Occasionally, a few bicycles appear on the road during rush hour, and people exercise.

The entrance is equipped with a barrier system to prevent motorbikes, but it is obstructed, causing difficulties for cyclists, especially children and the elderly.

Along the route, garbage surrounds the median strip, giving off a foul smell and polluting the environment for those using this bicycle-only route.

The road surface is degraded, rough and dusty so few people use it.

6 bicycle stations are arranged along the route but are "deserted" by customers.

Many cars stop right in front of the entrance to the bicycle lane, hindering people from using it.

One of the reasons why the road is deserted is the stench coming from the To Lich River. "The stench coming from the To Lich River is so strong that most people exercising or cycling on the road have to wear masks," a resident shared.

Around this route there are spontaneous landfills that pollute the environment and ruin the urban beauty.

The last section of the bicycle route near Cong Moc bridge is deserted and unusable.

Duy Pham

Source: https://tienphong.vn/duong-danh-cho-xe-dap-o-ha-noi-vang-hoe-sau-1-thang-hoat-dong-post1619509.tpo