עברית
The Israeli government decides to pedal ahead with the “Bikes for All” project, as an important activity on the informal education platform
The Israel Cycling Federation began the “Bikes for All” project over a year ago, to promote cycling as a physical activity and hobby among children and youth. Now an inter-office government committee has decided (decision 3368) to promote this sport as a leisure activity for children and youth throughout Israel. This governmental decision includes a 5-year budget, for 2009-2013, for this purpose.
the head of the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Science, Sport and Culture committee and the head of the Israel Cycling Federation discussed the long-term plans to promote the project, whose essentials are: to train dozens of new cycling instructors, to open 50 cycling clubs each year to reach a total of 265 cycling clubs, to enable 20,000 children and teenagers to ride bicycles, to encourage 8000 of these to take active roles in the clubs, and to run 4 massive cycling events per year.
Six different government offices take part in the inter-office committee that agreed to promote the cycling project on the government program for informal (after school) education. The head of the Ministry of Tourism, Shaul Zemach, is the acting head of the inter-office committee. He noted: “The Ministry of Tourism intends to include cycling as an important leisure activity in Israel and also to promote it as an alternative and adaptable means of travel which can enrich tourism in Israel. Our office is working on a multi-year plan to promote this activity and will present it to the government soon.”
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Dudu Malka, the deputy director of the Sports Administration, said: “The “Bikes for All” project combines all the values that our Administration wants to pass on to the public. Cycling is the sport that is developing the fastest in Israel and should reach all sectors of the public and increase the number of people who engage in sport.”
Emilio Roitman, the head of the Israel Cycling Federation, and Eyal Hershtik, head of the “Bikes for All” project, added: “We are very happy with this governmental decision to promote this project and we are sure that we will succeed in enabling thousands of children and youth to experience, enjoy, and profit from cycling so that as they pedal, they also learn to enjoy nature, become healthier, gain team spirit and more. We want to thank all those who are involved with this project, especially all the members of the Federation, the Sports Administration, our volunteers, and those people who are running the cycling clubs.”
Dr. Yoni Yarom, director of the board of the Israel Cycling Federation says: “The Federation is happy with the government’s recognition of the importance of this project and with its professed partnership in building a healthy alternative for children and youth through this wonderful sport. The Federation hopes that through these clubs, we will be able to reach more potential cycling champions. It also hopes that the government will encourage more local authorities and municipalities to open active clubs throughout the country and will enable members to participate in competitive and in non-competitive national cycling initiatives.”
