Allocate a portion of the sidewalk for bicycles; don't just start something and then abandon it.

Hue has just marked a new milestone in its green urban development journey with the completion (painting and marking) of dedicated bicycle lanes on sidewalks. Initially, this will be implemented on several main roads in Hue city, with a total length of nearly 8km.

This is part of a green urban project, under the Program for the Development of Type II Cities, approved by the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province in 2016 with many components.

It must be said that the initiative to dedicate separate lanes for bicycles on sidewalks or to use different spaces for bicycles is not new to the world .

Many countries, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Japan, and Canada, now have dedicated sections of sidewalks for cyclists, clearly separated from pedestrian areas by lines and signs.

But in Vietnam, this is a novel idea, and Hue is a pioneering locality. First and foremost, it aims to ensure the safety of cyclists. Secondly, it realizes the province's determination to transform Thua Thien Hue into a green, environmentally friendly city.

This innovative idea and pioneering spirit from Hue not only opens a new chapter in improving transportation infrastructure but also lays the foundation for a green, sustainable lifestyle that should be replicated in many other localities across the country.

However, because it is new and the first of its kind in Vietnam, there is currently much debate and conflicting opinions in public discourse.

One of the main objections is that dedicated bicycle lanes occupy sidewalk space, affecting pedestrians. In some areas with narrow sidewalks, this can lead to congestion and traffic safety hazards.

Furthermore, many people are concerned about the safety of cyclists when they have to travel on sidewalks, which are usually places for gatherings, trading, and have many obstacles.

These objections and concerns are not unfounded, considering the "traffic culture" and the operational realities of many transportation projects in Vietnamese cities over the years.

In reality, pioneering and innovating in any field always comes with difficulties, challenges, and even skepticism.

As in previous years, Hue also faced strong public opposition when it pioneered the construction of a wooden pedestrian bridge along the Perfume River.

And now, time has proven that the pedestrian bridge is a truly wonderful highlight, an indispensable destination for tourists both domestic and international.

Therefore, Hue has no other choice but to provide those who doubt the correct answer with scientific, synchronized management solutions, without "abandoning the project halfway," and to successfully and sustainably implement the idea of dedicating sidewalks to cyclists!

Source: https://laodong.vn/su-kien-binh-luan/danh-mot-phan-via-he-cho-xe-dap-dung-danh-trong-bo-dui-1368969.ldo