עברית
Mr. Shimon Peres, President of Israel, launched a two-day cycling trip for some 250 youngsters in the Gilboa region over Hol Hamo'ed Sukkot.
"Riding together on wheels" was the name of the cycling trip that the President of Israel launched on 7 October 2009 at Ma'ayan Harod. Some 250 Jewish and Arab children and youth participated, youngsters who have been taking part in the Bikes For All project all around the country as well as in the Gilboa region. This cycling trip carried the message of co-existence and friendship between peoples. During the two-day event, the children and youth of the Bikes For All cycling clubs enjoyed a full program of activities during the co-existence festival. There were two cycling trips, a pump-trek activity, a visit to the Arab market at Ne'ura, sleep out in the park of Ma'ayan Harod, a swim in the Mode'a pool and more.
Eyal Hershtik, the director of the Bikes For All project said "We were delighted that our clubs attended and that this event took place, especially for its valuable social objectives. All the youngsters from the clubs enjoyed the wonderful activities on wheels and absorbed the values embedded in the event. I would like to thank all members of the Gilboa Regional Authority for their collaboration and wonderful work."
Ofer Navat, the new Bikes For All cycling instructor at Carmiel said "For the Carmiel club this was a huge leap forward, in physical fitness, technique, and in team spirit and proved in the field the amazing educational effects of cycling activities. The combination of cycling with the Gilboa festival was positive and right."
"By cycling together and enjoying time together during the two-day trip, the youngsters showed that they believe in friendship and co-existence," explained Barukhi Magal, the producer of the event and director of youth and sport in the Gilboa region. "By participating in the event, they chose to rise to the challenges that they met on their path and depended on the help of their friends to see them through the difficulties that they met on their way; this too carries an important message."
Many thanks to all those in the Gilboa Regional Authority: Barukhi, Shmulik Einav, and Shlomi Gronov for the production and huge help in bringing the Bikes For All clubs to the event.
Many thanks also to General (Res.) Yomtov Samiya, the honorary member of the project, who led the trip on the first day, and to the volunteers, Moishale, Danny ben Menachem, Neuman, and Channy who came and helped!
For the gallery of photos from this event, see: http://www.bikes4all.org.il/he/galleries/342.html
