Are bicycles allowed on sidewalks?

Clause 1, Article 9 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law stipulates that road users must travel in the correct lane and section of the road as prescribed by law: " Road users must travel on the right side in the direction of their travel, in the correct lane and section of the road as prescribed, and must comply with the road traffic signaling system."

At the same time, based on Circular No. 04/2008/TT-BXD guiding the management of urban roads and Circular No. 16/2009/TT-BXD amending and supplementing Circular No. 04/2008/TT-BXD guiding the management of urban roads, sidewalks (or pavements, street sidewalks) are a part of urban roads, primarily serving pedestrians and also serving as a place to arrange urban technical infrastructure systems along the route.

Illustrative image. (Source: Lao Dong Newspaper)

Therefore, sidewalks are not designated for vehicles, including bicycles. Except for going onto the sidewalk to enter a house, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk violates traffic laws. The act of riding a bicycle on the sidewalk will be subject to administrative penalties in the field of road traffic.

Traffic police have the right to impose administrative penalties for this violation in accordance with point a, clause 1, Article 8 of Decree No. 100/2019/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the field of road and rail transport:

Article 8. Penalties for drivers of bicycles, motorized bicycles (including electric bicycles), and other non-motorized vehicles violating road traffic regulations.

1. A fine of between 80,000 and 100,000 VND will be imposed on drivers who commit any of the following violations:

a) Not driving on the right side in the direction of travel, driving on the wrong part of the road;

Therefore, cyclists riding on sidewalks will be fined between 80,000 and 100,000 VND.

BAO HUNG

Source: https://vtc.vn/xe-dap-co-duoc-di-tren-via-he-ar818329.html