Following the death of Ari Nesher in a Tel Aviv hit-and-run accident, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu instructed his deputy director-general, Yoav Horowitz, to examine with the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice, what amendments and actions should be made to increase the safety of electric cyclists.

On Friday, Horowitz said at a press briefing in New York, “this issue worries us. It will be addressed – and addressed as soon as possible.”

Netanyahu’s directive comes a day after the funeral of 17-year-old Nesher, the son of director Avi Nesher, who was injured a week and a half ago from a vehicle while riding an electric bicycle and died of his injuries on Thursday, 18 Tishrei.

Thousands of people arrived at the cemetery, including Ari’s friend in a wheelchair as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident. Earlier that day, the arrest of the driver, Yitzhak Aspeh, who was suspected of the hit and run Nesher, was remanded to detention.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday night, motzei Simchas Torah, directed Prime Minister’s Office Acting Director-General Yoav Horowitz to check – together with the ministries of Transportation, Public Security and Justice – what changes and actions must be taken to increase the safety of electric bicycle riders.

Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan reiterated his position and the position of Israel Police, that a shortened licensing procedure must be implemented, a procedure which includes knowledge of traffic laws for riders.

In light of the alarming response to the fatal hit and run, and criticism against Israel Police, it is pointed out that in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in enforcement against illegal travel on electric bicycles according to the police traffic enforcement unit, an increase of 70%. In addition, Erdan initiated a law permitting local authorities to issue summonses against cyclists who fail to comply with the law.

Some of the laws include a minimum riding age of 16, wearing an approved helmet, using a hands-free device for one’s cellphone, no riding on sidewalks and obeying traffic regulations.

Some experts feel the main problem with driving a bicycle is not a lack of enforcement. The main problem is that many casualties resulting from operating these bicycles, lacked any training and knowledge regarding a motorized vehicle on the busy roads of Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)