Explore how nations from the Netherlands to the US create dedicated bike lanes and boost safety. Discover ideas for your city today!
Cities worldwide are rethinking road space to make cycling safer and more attractive. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the first dedicated bike lane on Mai Chí Thọ Street has just been piloted, marking a key step toward a more diversified traffic ecosystem. How do other countries design their bike lanes? Below is a snapshot of innovative solutions from Europe, Asia, and North America.
The Netherlands: Pioneer of Separate Bike Paths
The Dutch government classifies two main types of bike routes:
- Fiestpad (Dedicated bike path): painted brick‑red and physically separated from motor traffic. Only bicycles may use it; pedestrians are allowed only where no sidewalk exists.
- Fiestraat (Shared bike‑car lane): a mixed lane where cars must stay under 30 km/h and give priority to cyclists.
Because the Netherlands boasts a massive bicycle industry, each dedicated lane includes large bike‑parking bays that can hold dozens to hundreds of bikes. The government also equips intercity trains with special bike carriages.
Denmark’s Copenhagen: Blue‑Colored Cycle Lanes
Since the 1980s, Copenhagen has woven a network of bike lanes through the city, all marked with a distinctive blue surface for instant recognition.
- Some separated lanes are even wider than the adjacent car lanes.
- At congested intersections, stop lines are placed to let cyclists go first, reducing collision risk.
- Unique features include angled trash bins that cyclists can use without stopping, and footrests near traffic lights for a quick hand or foot rest.
China’s Ambitious Elevated Cycle Tracks
The Chinese city of Xiamen installed the country’s first elevated, bicycle‑only bridge in 2017—a 7.6 km structure conceived by a Danish design firm.
Beijing followed in 2019 with a 6.5 km dedicated bike corridor, of which 2.5 km runs on an over‑pass linking residential neighborhoods to a high‑tech zone. Strict rules apply:
- Only pedal‑powered bicycles are permitted; electric bikes, motor‑bikes, cars, and even pedestrians are banned.
- Cyclists must ride on the right side and keep their bikes tethered if they stop.
- Leaving the lane is allowed only at the nearest exit, and stopping or riding against traffic is prohibited.
The United States: From Historic Paths to Protected Lanes
The U.S. built its first bike‑only lane in 1894, an 8 km stretch that linked New York’s Prospect Park to Coney Island. After a lull, the 1970s bike‑rise revived interest, leading to a variety of lane designs today.
- Standard bike lanes: painted lines on the roadway; can be exclusive or shared with low‑speed traffic.
- Protected bike lanes: introduced widely after 2010, separated from cars by curbs, planters, or rubber barriers.
- Shared‑use paths: typically found in parks or along rivers, allowing both cyclists and pedestrians.
What These Examples Teach Us
From Denmark’s blue lanes to Xiamen’s sky‑high tracks, dedicated bike infrastructure does more than separate traffic—it signals a city’s commitment to people and the environment.
Ho Chi Minh City’s modest start on Mai Chí Thọ Street may be the first step, but it opens the door to a richer, safer, and more civilized urban transport system where cycling can thrive.