Dau Quoc Quan, a resident of Phu Thuong ward, reported that around 6:30 on the morning of 16/11, he was riding his motorbike on Nhat Tan bridge, heading from Dong Anh towards central Hanoi. He saw a group of over 10 people cycling for exercise in the car lane. Believing this behavior to be dangerous and a potential cause of accidents, he recorded them using a 360-degree dashcam attached to his helmet.
Video of Dau Quoc Quan using a 360-degree camera mounted on his helmet to record a group cycling in the car lane on Nhat Tan bridge, heading from Dong Anh towards central Hanoi, on the morning of 16/11. Source: Provided by interviewee
Immediately after descending the bridge, three cyclists from the group caught up with Quan, demanding he stop. Two left when they realized he was recording, but one stayed, aggressively threatening him and insisting he delete the video. When Quan refused, the individual photographed him and his motorbike's license plate before departing.
This was not Quan's first encounter with the group cycling in the wrong lane. He had recorded them previously without detection. According to Quan, the group usually rides on weekends, between 5h and 7h. They often split into two groups of 5-7 people, riding 3-4 abreast, obstructing car traffic. Their speed, 40-45 km/h, suggests they are "racing for performance rather than exercising for health." On some occasions, the group has numbered 40-50 people.
Quan forwarded the video to authorities, concerned about numerous bicycle accidents linked to wrong-lane cycling on the bridge. A representative from Road Traffic Police Team No. 2, under the Hanoi Traffic Police Department, confirmed receiving the report. The unit is now coordinating with Phu Thuong ward police to identify the group cycling in the car lane and threatening individuals. "We are intensifying patrols, monitoring, and public awareness efforts to prevent violations along the Nhat Tan bridge route," the representative stated.
A group of cyclists encroaching on the car lane on Vo Nguyen Giap street, heading towards Noi Bai airport, recorded by Quan's friend in early 2025. Source: Provided by interviewee
Lawyer Tran Xuan Tien, head of Dong Doi Law Office in Hanoi, noted that current fines for bicycles and electric bicycles (300,000-400,000 dong under Decree 168) are inadequate. He believes these penalties do not reflect the danger posed by such behavior. Tien suggested increasing fines for non-motorized and electric vehicles involved in dangerous violations, bringing them closer to motorbike penalties, for instance, 1-3 million dong for entering a highway lane. For deliberate repeat offenders, vehicle confiscation could be considered.
Nhat Tan bridge features four lanes in each direction: three for cars and one designated for motorbikes and non-motorized vehicles. Since 8/2025, Hanoi has implemented a pilot program to install robust barriers, aiming to prevent motorbikes and bicycles from entering car lanes.
Quynh Nguyen
