Bicycles allowed on intercity train lines
08/02/2012 23:07
Bikes are not yet, however, allowed on the Jerusalem Light Rail, which is not under the jurisdiction of Israel Railways.
Bicyclists can now bring bikes on trains Photo: Illustrative photo: Israel for Bicycles
Bicycles can now join their riders on all Israel Railways train lines, the
organization Israel for Bicycles announced Thursday.
After pilot programs
this year in which bikes were allowed on select train lines, they are now
permitted on all. Israel Railways has asked that riders bring their own locks to
secure their bikes to the banisters.
Bikes are not yet, however, allowed
on the Jerusalem Light Rail, which is not under the jurisdiction of Israel
Railways.
Members of Israel for Bicycles praised the decision to allow
bikes on trains, stressing that people will likely appreciate and take advantage
of the option, particularly due to the rising cost of fuel.
“The State of
Israel joins a long list of countries in which bringing bikes on the train is
possible,” Israel for Bicycles CEO Yotam Avizohar said.
Avizohar called
the train “the ideal means of transportation” for travel between cities, and
said the bicycle is a perfect complementary transportation mechanism – resistant
to gas price rises and vehicle traffic. Allowing bikes on the train also
provides increased accessibility to their places of work for those who cannot
purchase private vehicles, he added.
“It is clear that not everyone can
live on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, but by bicycle, it is possible to
arrive at the train station within 10 minutes, in Ramle, Lod, Petah Tikva and
many other cities,” Avizohar said.