Bicycle parking space

Cycling — For a long time, Son Tra Peninsula has been an ideal route for cycling enthusiasts in Da Nang . Photo: KN

More than just a means of exercising, bicycles are becoming a symbol of a slow-paced, environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Positive signs from the Thang Long route.

On a chilly early winter morning, groups of people leisurely cycled along Thang Long Street (Cam Le Ward).

“It feels so good to exercise while breathing fresh air without worrying about smog or crowds of motorbikes and cars,” shared Mr. Tran Quoc Dat (Group 10, Cam Le Ward) after completing his 5km morning bike ride. For him, the Thang Long road is like a small gift from the city to those who love cycling, enjoy exercise, and aspire to a green lifestyle.

The Thang Long road sidewalk landscape renovation project was launched in 2024 and completed in 2025 on a section of over 4.5 km connecting Tuyen Son Bridge to Cam Le Bridge. Along the riverside sidewalk, the city has arranged a 2-meter-wide dedicated bicycle lane, creating a safe and spacious travel area.

Many sections along the route have been planted with trees, providing shade and making it suitable for cycling for recreation , tourism, or short trips within the city. Notably, along the cycling path, the city has installed recessed decorative lighting and separated it by painted lines, signs, and speed bumps. This is considered the first route in Da Nang with a properly designed bicycle lane, serving both as an experimental initiative and opening up a direction for green transportation development in the city.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Huy, Director of the Da Nang Investment and Construction Project Management Board for Transportation and Agriculture , said that during the design process, the unit consulted several bicycle-friendly urban models in Japan and Europe. "We want to create a space that encourages people to walk, cycle, and enjoy the fresh air instead of relying entirely on motorized vehicles," Mr. Huy shared.

Not only on the Thang Long route, but in recent years, many cycling groups in Da Nang have formed and maintained regular activities. They meet early in the morning or late in the afternoon and cycle together along mountain and coastal routes.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (Hoa Khanh ward), a member of the Da Nang Cycling Club, said that every morning, she and her group of friends often choose the Hoang Van Thai route towards Ba Na Mountain to cycle and exercise. "If there were more dedicated bicycle lanes like Thang Long, it would definitely be safer and encourage more people to choose bicycles instead of motorbikes," Ms. Ha said.

We need more space for bicycles.

From a tourism perspective, developing a bicycle route system is also an attractive green tourism product. Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Huong, a tour guide at Saigontourist Travel Service Co., Ltd., said that tourists, especially those from Europe, South Korea, and Japan, really enjoy exploring the city by bicycle. If there were coastal routes, riverside routes, or routes connecting the city center, tourist attractions, and craft villages via bicycle, it would certainly create a unique impression for Da Nang tourism.

In fact, many tourist cities both domestically and internationally, such as Hoi An, Hue, Da Lat, Kyoto, and Amsterdam, have successfully created a cycling culture. In Hoi An, the image of tourists and locals leisurely cycling along tree-lined streets has become an iconic symbol of the ancient town. "Based on Hoi An's experience, Da Nang can gradually plan areas to restrict motorized vehicles, prioritizing bicycles and pedestrians," Ms. Chau suggested.

According to transportation experts, creating more space for bicycles not only serves the needs of sports or tourism but is also an important step in a sustainable transportation strategy. The city could start with pilot routes along both banks of the Han River and the Nguyen Tat Thanh coastal road, where the volume of motorized traffic is not too high and the scenery is beautiful and convenient for cycling.

Associate Professor Dr. Architect Nguyen Anh Tuan and Architect Vo Le Tuan, from the Faculty of Architecture, Danang University of Technology (Danang University), both believe that in a city with diverse cultural elements and connections, urban planning, urban form, architecture, transportation, and technical infrastructure need to be designed and managed in a specific way to ensure integration and sustainable development.

According to experts, a multicultural and interconnected city cannot function without a diverse and easily accessible street network, with a flexible combination of main streets, side streets, small squares, and even alleyways, creating a rich urban space that meets all transportation needs. Based on this, Da Nang needs to prioritize non-motorized transportation such as walking, cycling, and cyclo-rickshaws, encourage light electric vehicles, and develop a diverse public transportation system to create a safe and friendly travel environment.

In a modern society, developing green transportation goes beyond just infrastructure; it's about a shift in mindset. When people choose bicycles, they are choosing an energy-efficient lifestyle that is closer to nature. With its flat terrain and diverse river, sea, and mountain landscapes, if properly planned and bicycles are integrated with bus routes and smart parking, Da Nang can absolutely develop a green transportation network similar to advanced cities around the world.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/khong-gian-danh-cho-xe-dap-3310183.html