Yom Kippur: A Unique Tradition of Cycling in Tel Aviv
Yom Kippur holds immense significance in the Jewish calendar, with nearly half of Israel’s population observing a day of fasting and abstaining from using electricity as a solemn act of atonement. However, in recent years, an alternative tradition has emerged in Tel Aviv, Israel’s vibrant and secular Mediterranean city.
As the sun sets on Sunday evening, Tel Aviv undergoes a remarkable transformation. For approximately 24 hours, the bustling streets, usually overwhelmed by traffic, become a haven for cyclists, rollerbladers, skateboarders, and scooter enthusiasts alike.
Gone are the blaring car horns, replaced by the gentle chiming of bicycle bells, the melodious melodies of birdsong, and the rhythmic crashing of waves upon the sandy shores. Some seize this unique opportunity to embark on cross-country cycling adventures along the normally congested motorways.
“This day is magical. It remains holy and contemplative, but we channel its tranquility in a different way,” expressed Sarit Abraham, a 44-year-old hospital administrator from the suburb of Ramat Gan. She estimated that she and her three children had already cycled approximately 7 miles (12km) through the city’s parks and waterfront, with plans for a beach picnic before heading home.
Although Israel observes public transport suspension every Friday in preparation for Shabbat, Tel Aviv is the exception, with shops and restaurants remaining open and traffic still congesting Highway One, the main road linking Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
While there is no law prohibiting driving on Yom Kippur, the majority of individuals, even in cities like Jaffa with mixed Jewish and Arab populations, choose to forego using their cars. On Monday morning, neither The Guardian nor a single motor vehicle, except for an ambulance and a few police cars, graced the streets.
Although cultural differences between Israel’s secular and religious communities can sometimes cause tension on matters related to Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, cycling on Yom Kippur is largely seen as a fitting tribute to the spirit of the occasion.
Aside from its scorching summer temperatures, Tel Aviv’s flat coastal landscape provides the perfect playground for biking enthusiasts. Over the past 25 years, the city municipality, under Mayor Ron Huldai’s leadership, has wholeheartedly embraced cycling as a green mode of transportation, constructing an impressive 87 miles (140km) of bike lanes and paths.
Despite some bike lanes being nothing more than painted lines on concrete or abruptly terminating at intersections, they have successfully revolutionized the city’s transportation culture. Like in many urban centers, an increase in the number of cyclists has corresponded with a decrease in road traffic accidents.
As of 2022, the greater metropolitan area of Tel Aviv is home to 4.4 million residents. Last month, the highly-anticipated Tel Aviv light rail commenced operations, but it will take at least another decade for it to become the city’s primary urban transportation system.
Back in 1994, when the Israel Bicycle Association proposed making the traffic-congested city more cycle-friendly, their suggestion was met with ridicule. They were dismissively told that cycling was reserved for third-world countries, and that Tel Aviv, being a modern city, should adopt more European modes of transportation. “Israel is a Middle Eastern country, and Israelis are addicted to their cars or camels,” one official quipped.
Despite the initial resistance, cycling in Tel Aviv has flourished. The number of cycle lanes is expected to double by 2025, as part of an ambitious initiative to raise the city’s bicycle journeys from 7% to 20%.
On this particular day, many individuals expressed a desire to cycle more frequently, given the chance and a reduction in motor traffic. “We had bikes when I was a little girl, and I love using my bike now,” exclaimed Dror Kressel, a 70-year-old who was out on an electric bike with her son and daughter-in-law. “I wish every day of the year could be like this.”
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