The Israel PoliceTraffic Department issued a recommendation on Monday to change the electric bicycle policy. The recommendation suggests amending the existing laws and compelling drivers of electric bicycles to hold a driver's license and a vehicle license. The recommendation is to be brought before an internal affairs committee in the Knesset later today.
Since new regulations were enacted regarding electric bikes, the police have been facing difficulties in enforcing them, especially due to the drivers' young age and fear of them being hurt by other vehicles.
After examining the issue, Traffic Department Director Major General Yaron Baari decided to recommend the Transport Ministry to change the existing regulations.
A rally of some 200 protestors in Tel Aviv last Thursday helped promote this issue. The protestors called to find a solution to the dangers posed by electric bikes. The rally was held after an electric bike rider rammed into a 3-year-old and injured her. The protestors waved placards calling to take the bikes in question off the streets.
"We demand that this issue be taken seriously," Shiri Shuminer, the mother of the toddler who was injured, stated. "The police must be able to enforce the regulations and the Ministry of Transport must enact proper regulations."
