In light of recent tragedies and the increasing number of electric bicycles involved in accidents, with some being fatal, some rabbonim are prohibiting talmidim from riding them. The rabbonim explain that recently, the fact that 16 fatalities involving electric bicycles were reported last year R”L, is cause for concern and action.
Following a serious accident in the Rova Zayin in Ashdod, rabbonim have released a kol korei against the use of electric bicycles. The letter cites how all too often, the operators of these bicycles, including many chareidim, ignore traffic law and endanger human life.
This has prompted HaGaon HaRav Avraham Altman and others to sign the ban, to the extent they believe the situation is one of pikuach nefesh. Gavaad Ashdod HaGaon HaRav Schreiber signed as well, giving increased prominence to the ban from the rabbonim in the city.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
2 Responses
Read the letter. I don’t see any ban here.
The letter is speaking out against all types of traffic violations, by car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. As far as I understand it, this is a call to behave according to the traffic laws, not just those who ride electric bicycles..