Jerusalem City Hall has announced new regulations pertaining to parking one’s bicycle in a public area. A summons will be issued if one does not park one’s bicycle in a designated area. If the bicycle is not moved within three hours it will be removed by the city to an impound area.
A city inspector will leave a warning on a bicycle that is parked illegally that explains if the bicycle is not moved within three hours, it will be impounded. This will result in a 300 NIS removal cost in addition to a 250 NIS fine.
City parking authority officials explain the decision in response to the growing number of bicycles locked to a traffic signal. This has resulted in pedestrians tripping and falling and at times almost caused an accident.
It is pointed out the city is encouraging residents to use bicycles. One such example is in the French Hill neighborhood where the city spent 5 million NIS to build bike lanes. City employees are also encouraged to come to work by bike, but now we are informed that that one must park one’s bike in an authorized designated area, not just by locking it to any pole.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Bicycles are a minor problem. What about cars parked on the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road and putting themselves in danger from passing cars?
In Brachfeld the bicycles strewn in the worst places around is a real irritation. Dumping them in front of doorways and mailboxes is particularly popular. They are also an eyesore and a bother in building staircases and hallways. The proper place to store them is in the shelters in the parking lots or in the owner’s apartment.
An education campaign aimed at polite and responsible use of bicycles would probably help. I may be reaching for the sky on this but bicycle paths should be built. A good place for them would be in the flower plots by the sidewalks that nobody cares about anyway.
At some point law enforcement may be appropriate. The proper approach is to have it done locally much the same as there is a local guard service. It would be nice to use the local Beis Din, but it needs to be seriously cleaned up, particularly concerning speedy justice, rational discussion, and less emphasis on fees. Bringing in dogs from the outside that like the smell of something else and the taste of blood with the power to arrest, confiscate, and fine would be absolute lunacy.
#1, it’s not a problem unless you chain your car to the pole.