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This will be only my point of view. 1) why don't more peaple uses bicycles?, well, in HCMC obviously the long distances, the temperature and the rain. A light weight bicycle is almost same price than a Motorbike.

2) how difficult? First you should be an expert walker  hahaha...  There is not sidewalks, because are parking zones (maybe "sidewalk" is not the good noun 😅) you cannot ride 1m from sidewalks because that is for walkers in the streets; and you cannot ride 2m from sidewalks because that is the line for motorbikes driving against the way.   

Final though: it is not impossible for a foreigner to ride in HCMC, just you need to learn how is to live without fellings of safety, just go, turn, and stop as none is arround you

Does anyone have experience using a bike rather than a Motorbike?
I'd like to know how effective they are in a place Like HCMC or congested areas.

With all the hassle and expense of getting a motorbike, why don't more people use Bikes to get around?

I am mostly interested in the downside. One thing that seems obvious is it is a lot harder to dodge other drivers as you navigate.

I wonder in HCMC, how difficult would it be to go from Dist. 1 to the airport area on a bike.

Does anyone rent bikes to try it out? - @Dannyroc3

Maybe compromise with an e-bike?

Does anyone have experience using a bike rather than a Motorbike?I'd like to know how effective they are in a place Like HCMC or congested areas.With all the hassle and expense of getting a motorbike, why don't more people use Bikes to get around?I am mostly interested in the downside. One thing that seems obvious is it is a lot harder to dodge other drivers as you navigate. I wonder in HCMC, how difficult would it be to go from Dist. 1 to the airport area on a bike. Does anyone rent bikes to try it out? - @Dannyroc3

As OceanBeach mentions above, an  e-bike might be a good choice. I had one when I lived in Vung Tau. These days VinFAst produces a number of cool looking models that resemble scooters and minibikes.

Here's an old article from CNN:

It seems to me that the main downside of a bike would be lack of ability to quickly accelerate after stopping. An e-bike doesn't have that problem.

One drawback of e-bikes is that make very little noise so sometimes in traffic people do not notice you.

One of the attractions of a bike was the cheap price and if you relocate you can leave it behind.

I imagine they charge from a regular wall outlet but if I park it in a downstairs garage, it could be recharging it would be a problem.

Google sent me an add (after opening this topic) on the huge network of those blue bikes I have seen where its checked in an out by an app. That might be a good choice or an opportunity to try a regular bike out. 

Better of a bike than a motorcycle in a site if it has a large plain terrain.