Bicycle space

Cycling — For a long time, Son Tra peninsula has become an ideal route for the cycling community in Da Nang . Photo: KN

Not only a means of exercise, bicycles are becoming a symbol of a slow, environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Good news from Thang Long route

Early winter morning, on Thang Long street (Cam Le ward), groups of people leisurely cycle.

“It feels very pleasant to exercise and breathe fresh air without fear of dust or being crowded with motorbikes and cars,” said Tran Quoc Dat (Group 10, Cam Le Ward) after completing a 5km morning cycling trip. To him, Thang Long Road is like a small gift that the city gives to those who love cycling, exercise and a green lifestyle.

The Thang Long sidewalk landscape improvement project will be implemented in 2024 and completed in 2025 on a road section of more than 4.5 km connecting Tuyen Son Bridge to Cam Le Bridge. Along the sidewalk next to the river, the city will arrange a 2m-wide dedicated bicycle lane, creating a safe and airy space for movement.

Many sections along the route are planted with trees to create shade, suitable for cycling, tourism or short trips within the city. In particular, along the cycling path, the city has arranged decorative lights and separated by painted lines, signs and speed bumps. This is considered the first route in Da Nang with a well-designed bicycle lane, both experimental and opening up a direction for green transport development for the city.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Huy, Director of the Management Board of Investment and Construction Projects for Transport and Agriculture in Da Nang, said that during the design process, the unit consulted a number of 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 depending entirely on motor vehicles,” Mr. Huy shared.

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

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

Need more space for bicycles

From a tourism perspective, the development of a bicycle route system is also an attractive green tourism product for tourists. Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Huong, a tour guide at Saigontourist Travel Services Company Limited, said that tourists, especially European, Korean and Japanese tourists, love to explore the city by bicycle. If there are coastal or riverside routes or connecting the center - scenic spots - craft villages by bicycle, it will certainly create a different impression for Da Nang tourism.

In fact, many domestic and foreign tourist cities such as Hoi An, Hue, Da Lat, Kyoto or Amsterdam have succeeded in creating a cycling culture. In Hoi An, the image of tourists and locals slowly cycling on tree-lined streets has become a symbol of the ancient town. "From the experience of Hoi An, Da Nang can completely gradually plan areas that restrict motor vehicles, giving priority to bicycles and pedestrians," Ms. Chau suggested.

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

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

According to experts, a multicultural, multi-connected urban area cannot lack a diverse, accessible street network with a flexible combination of main streets, side streets, small squares and alleys, creating a rich urban space that meets all travel needs. On this basis, Da Nang needs to prioritize non-motorized transport such as walking, bicycles, cyclos, encourage light electric vehicles, and a diverse public transport system to create a safe and friendly travel environment.

In a modern society, developing green transportation is not only about infrastructure but also about changing mindsets. When people choose bicycles, they choose an energy-saving lifestyle, close to nature. And with flat terrain, diverse river - sea - mountain landscapes, if planned properly, connecting bicycles with bus routes, smart parking lots, Da Nang can completely form a green transportation network similar to advanced cities in the world.

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