During this month’s ‘Critical Mass’ in Jerusalem, cyclists will check out the city’s new bike paths.
Maybe it’s because Israel is becoming a nation of pedalers, or because biking is a hot form of eco-tourism, but for whatever reason a group of Jerusalem cyclists has been getting together for a monthly Critical Mass. (And no, Critical Mass is not some kind of large religious gathering, even though it’s taking place in Jerusalem.) Critical Mass, a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in over 300 cities around the world, is an event that has been taking place in cities around Israel for some time.
This month’s Jerusalem Critical Mass will be a little different though, and will aim to test out some new bike paths that the municipality has installed.
Cycle Jerusalem, the group organizing the Critical Mass, is calling tomorrow’s ride a ‘French Style Critical Mass’ because the riders will be cycling around the French Hill in Jerusalem.
The new bike paths in the French Hill are meant to be a pilot for the other bike paths to be installed around the city along Jerusalem’s new light rail. (A light rail system has yet to be built in Tel Aviv, though it has been in the ‘works’ for years.)
According to the organizers of the ride,
“there has been a large objection to these paths from the residents of the neighborhood (largely because they come instead of parking spots) and we aren’t here to take sides and say if they were well planned or not but rather to support the basic idea that Jerusalem needs bike paths and that we are in favor of a greener city with safe places to ride bicycles and less cars on the roads.”
Rain or shine, the ride will begin at 11:45am on Friday November 25th at Hamashbir Square in Jerusalem.
: Cycle Jerusalem (in Hebrew)
Read more about cycling in Israel and Jerusalem::
Israel Becomes a Nation of Pedalers (Cycling Freaks)
The Cycling Nightlife in Jerusalem
On Cycling and Two-Wheeler Tourism in Israel, from EcoBike’s Tomer Zaksenberg
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
