Workers began road cleaning along the To Lich River in Hanoi on Friday afternoon in order to convert this route into a bicycle-only lane, the first of its kind in the capital city.

The route, stretching from Nga Tu So to Cau Giay, underwent leveling and painting to transform into a two-way bicycle path, which is three meters wide and adjacent to the riverbank, aside from a one-meter-wide pedestrian path.

Scheduled to commence operations on February 1, the route dedicated for bicycles will feature six parking stations and accommodate 100 regular bicycles and battery-powered bikes.

Originally a 2.3-kilometer-long, four-meter-wide pedestrian road on Lang Street, running parallel to the To Lich River, this path was invested with nearly VND65 billion (US$2.6 million) and opened for pedestrian use in March 2019.

Subsequently, due to an influx of motorbikes, Hanoi fenced off both ends to restrict vehicular access.

The transformation began after Nguyen Phi Thuong, director of the Hanoi Department of Transport, proposed the municipal People's Committee pilot the organization of separate lanes for bicycles to ensure safe and convenient vehicle circulation, with the selected pilot route connecting with public transport systems.

Additionally, the transport department plans to pilot a second bicycle path around Hoa Binh Park and Hoang Minh Thao Street in Bac Tu Liem District.

This initiative also involves sidewalk repairs and the creation of a three-meter-wide priority path for two-way traffic.

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