Tel Aviv City Hall has announced that this Yom Kippur, it will not permit bicycle rental businesses to operate. It is reported the decision came in response to a request from City Councilman (Shas) Binyamin Bivioff.

In past years, the highlight of Yom Kippur was bicycle riding and competition in the city, which may somewhat reduced this year due to the city’s decision.

City Hall released a message to the media; “Yom Kippur is a special day that sets the State of Israel aside from other nations, one day a year on which the Jewish People do not ride in their cars. In light of this, bike rental businesses will remain closed, permitted to operate after the fast day.”

The city notification adds that rental shops customer representatives must stop working three hours before candle lighting and rentals must halt two hours before candle lighting. Businesses will be permitted to reopen two hours after the fast ends.

“No one in Tel Aviv will die by exhibiting a bit of solidarity” the mayor’s message concludes.

On the Tel-Ofen Facebook page, a major bike rental company in Tel Aviv, one can read the reactions, from displeasure, approval, understanding and outrage. MK (Hadash) Dr. Dov Hanin, who ran against Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai in the last mayoral race decried the decision, explaining “bicycles are an integral part of the Tel Aviv Israeli Yom Kippur and the decision to close down rental shops is tantamount to religious coercion and a violation of the religious status-quo in the city, the impressive unique day as it is celebrated by Tel Avivians.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)