FP11-1-TransIsraelCyclingRoute-Eng
5th November 2008
TRANS-ISRAEL CYCLING ROUTE INAUGURATED
Condensed from The Jerusalem net 02 web site October 2008
An interim proposal on promoting cycling as a sport, presented to the Ministry of Tourism has
been approved by the government. The report details plans to establish cycling routes throughout
Israel, one of which is the 120 kilometer (about 75 miles) route linking Jerusalem with Tel-Aviv.
The proposal entails a five-year plan, to be implemented by 2013, with an earmarked budget of
NIS 100 million. The first stage will be constructed in 2009, at a cost of NIS 20 million.
According to the plan, "The Israel Cycling Route" will become the central route for two-wheeled
environmentally-friendly vehicles. Branching out from it - or leading towards it - will be many
regional trails, providing added value for tourism and for the general public.
"The Israel Cycling Route" will be 1,200 kilometers long (about 746 miles) running from north to
south of the country, divided into 25 segments. The route will encompass various cultures,
heritage sites and landscapes throughout the country, passing through the Hermon, the Hula
Valley, along the Kinneret, the Mediterranean, the Dead Sea and the Red Sea.
Additional cycling routes will be built, some linked to routes
within cities and towns, and others to routes in open country,
for leisure and recreation. Also approved was a network of
bicycle routes within cities for everyday needs, aiming at
reducing traffic and expanding the options for "clean"
transportation within the city limits.
ADDITIONAL ROUTES:
The Jerusalem-Tel-Aviv Route
This project has been sponsored by KKL-JNF as a gift to the
nation in honor of sixty years of independence. It is 120
kilometers long, beginning at the mouth of the Yarkon River in
Tel-Aviv and ending at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, or visaversa. The route connects the Dan region with Jerusalem via
the lowlands thus creating a direct link to the cycling routes in
Jerusalem's metropolitan parks. Projected cost is about NIS1.5
million from KKL-JNF sources.
Cycling Routes within Jerusalem's Metropolitan Parks
The 44-kilometer cycling route within metropolitan Jerusalem links the city's neighborhoods and
surrounding suburbs -an additional 34 kilometers - at an estimated cost of NIS 34 million. The
Arazim–Motza–Beit Zayit ten-kilometer segment has been approved for building during 2009 at
an estimated cost of NIS 6.5 million.
Cycling Route for Commuters
The master plan for Jerusalem cyclists commuting from the north-west section of the city has been
approved by the Ministry of Transportation and the Jerusalem Municipality. In 2008, the Ministry
of Transportation, in conjunction with the Light-Rail system and the Jerusalem Municipality,
approved funding for detailed plans with a budget of half a million shekels. Length of the routes in
both directions is about 15 kilometers of cycling routes and 20 km of city lanes.
"The Israel Cycling Route" in additional areas of the country
Eilat Section – Mitzpe Shachrut is 85 kilometers long or a two-day ride.
The Kinneret Route is 130 kilometers on existing routes, passing around the Kinneret at sea
level.
The Neorah, Tamra, Taibe Route – entails developing a cycling route in open country in the
area of these towns as well as a route connecting the towns.
Acre and Krayot (Haifa) Ring Route is 75 kilometers long, from the north of Acre, the Naaman
River, the western Krayot, the Kishon River and the Tsipori River in the eastern part of the Jezreel
Valley.
The Netanya Route, 12 kilometers, connects the east of the city Neve Itamar, some of the Hefer
Valley settlements with the Avihail and Alexander rivers "Southern River Trail."
The Yarkon River Route is a two kilometer route
along "The Concrete House" route, the western bank
of the Yarkon River in the cleaned-up section, from
the Yarkon Source National Park to Route number 5,
within the municipal boundaries of Petach Tikva.
The Yarkon River Route II - route number 40, the
Hadar River, four kilometers long in the southern
Sharon and Hod Hasharon regions, beginning in the
east at Route 40 and ending in the west, at the
confluence of the Yarkon River with the Hadar River.
This route is based on existing routes along the northern bank of the Yarkon River and will
seamlessly connect them.
Beersheba Ring Road Cycling Route is fifty kilometers long with approaches from several areas
of Beersheba, passing along the Karkur River, Hatzerim Park, Beersheba River Park and Omer.
Links can be built to the towns of Ofakim, Rahat and Lahavim.
For articles, comments or use, please contact
Liaison, Information and Publication
Ahuva Bar-Lev
Email: ahuvab@kkl.org.il
Phone: 972-2-6583354 Fax: 972-2-6583493
www.kkl.org.il/eng