Jerusalem. Not a dream city for cycling. It’s many hills, random intersections, cobbled roads, virtually inaccessible Old City, I tried. I really did. I cheated on Tel Aviv and lived in Jerusalem for 2 years. But I could never get around by bike. Despite its difficulty, there are plenty of people who do like to ride and build their calf muscles and they are protesting this Friday to the city, with the message:

“While cities in Israel and across the world are taking advantage of the current pandemic to improve their bicycle infrastructure, the Jerusalem Municipality is doing… nothing.”

According to the group Bicycles for Jerusalem, they say that coronavirus times should have shown the City Hall how lack of public transport puts a strain on people and services. And that cities around the world understood this and made cycling a more important part of getting around the city.

https://www.facebook.com/cyclejerusalem/videos/2425611734342070/

“While we are big fans of public transportation, and firmly believe that it is a critical component of a well-functioning city,” announces the group, “we understand that many people will in the near future be trying to find alternatives. If the only alternative is a private car, our city will become more congested than ever, and will grind to a stand-still. The Municipality needs to take swift and definitive action to provide a better alternative.”

One of the most popular alternatives to the bicycle in Israel is the dockless e-scooter, like from the companies Wind Mobile based in Europe. Networks were shut down over the peak of the COVID-19 crisis here, so the bicyclists of Jerusalem have a pont.

The cyclists of Jerusalem say that they aren’t asking for the moon, but just some strategic bike lanes along main arteries, a move that would require some paint and traffic cones: “We want the Municipality to organize bicycle acquisition groups to encourage people to get on bicycles – starting with its employees and then residents. We want the municipality to install ramps to make the numerous steps across the city more accessible. We don’t need everything to be perfect, we want the city to start,” the group adds.

If you want to cycle or be part of a movement that does, jump on two wheels and pedal around the Holy City this Friday with a distance of a few yards between your buddy. And a helmet. Cycling safe.

More details about the ride here.

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We need mammoth human collaboration in order to surmount our global environmental problems. And let’s face it, we have a few of those: coral reefs potentially a thing of the past by 2050, oil set to peak just as the demand for it increases, and water- the source of all life – already a luxury commodity in places like Yemen. But it isn’t over till it’s over. In recognition of their numerous challenges, but determined to overcome them, two cities are planning to create mutual solutions. Chicago and Jerusalem will soon announce their new “green” friendship.The municipality of Jerusalem and the city of Chicago will forge a partnership similar to Sister Cities International, a non-profit organization that fosters cultural and economic cooperation between international communities at the municipal level. Jerusalem’s sister city is New York.

The difference between SCI and the Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed by representatives of the Holy and Windy cities is its explicit focus on green building and planning. It is an environmental partnership that will hopefully spread a wave of similar collaboration.

Ms. Naomi Tsur, the Municipality of Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor will join Ms. Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment, on Wednesday March 9, 2011 to sign the MOU and  discuss the ramifications thereof.

The event will be held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, and will be hosted by Ms. Orli Gil, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest,  Mr. Yariv Becher, Israel Consul for Economic Affairs to the Midwest Region, and Mr. Uri Steinberg, Israel Tourism Consul to the Midwest Region.

The two municipalities will be able to share planning ideas, technology, and best practices, and will hopefully set the stage for similar agreements elsewhere.

More environmental partnerships in the Middle East:

BrightSource, Alstom Partner On Solar Thermal

Ormat And Sunday Partner Up In Sunny $195 Million Deal

How Terra Ventures Accelerate Clean Technology

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