Tel Aviv to begin ticketing electric bicycle riders for traffic violations
In a new plan presented by city officials, traffic inspectors will begin assessing tickets in August for those breaking traffic laws on electric bicycles; initiative is part of plan to improve road safety for pedestrians.
The decision comes after debate in the Knesset's Subcommittee for Road Safety after an uptick in traffic accidents and fatalities involving electric bicycles.
In accordance with the new powers granted to an authorized municipal inspector, they may demand identification, detain the offender, levy fines, remove air from the tires and even seize the vehicle.
The ministry emphasized that the new procedures will be implemented gradually.
During the first two months, local authorities will act to inform the public about the new laws and their enforcement.
Starting in the third month, enforcement will be carried out through warnings only, before tickets are handed out starting in the fourth month.
In additional efforts to rein in traffic accidents, the Transportation Ministry raised fines for both underage riding and riding on sidewalks.
Deputy Director of the Supervision Department of the Tel Aviv Municipality, Yair Amor, presented a plan according to which the new procedures will be enforced in the city. In May and June they will work to explain the traffic laws pertaining to bicycles and in July, warnings will be distributed and finally, tickets will begin to be assessed in August.
"At last, a national enforcement procedure has been approved for a law that allows municipal supervision to enforce the ban on riding on sidewalks," said deputy mayor of transportation Meital Lehavi. "We hope that we will be able to restore personal safety to pedestrians on the sidewalks of the city, without detracting from the safety of the roads, and we hope that enforcement will change norms and generate road safety."
(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
