New Bike Lane In Jerusalem To Be Source Of Haredi Protest

While there is no shortage of haredi protest and activity in many cities around Israel, Jerusalem is really the father of haredi protest activity. That is where they come up with the most unique and diverse things to fight about.

The latest issue in Jerusalem that is raising the temperature of the discussion is a new bike lane. Well, it really isn't a new bike lane, just the allocation of an unused lane for the purpose of bikers and skateboarders. That is, the lane to be used by the new Jerusalem Light Rail system is going to be empty and unused on shabbos, as the light rail will not be operating on Shabbos.

A number of organizations have cooperated with each other to come up with a plan to begin using the empty light rail lane on Shabbos for bikers and skateboarders, and even having water distribution points, booths, and educational materials. They hope to encourage healthy activity and additional activities for people in the city of Jerusalem. Also, a representative from the group "Yerushalmim" said that the city has taken much space for the benefit of the light rail, and this gives some of that back.

The iryah has stayed out of this, not officially allocating the empty lane for this purpose, in order not to upset anybody, knowing that th haredim would oppose such a plan.

Despite that, haredi reps in the iryah are opposing the usage of the light rail lane saying this activity has been created just to provoke and raise the heated atmosphere in the city. "We need to stay on top of things and not allow individuals or groups to try to grab headlines by taking over the light rail lane or by creating a dancing area. There is someone in charge in the city, and that is the Iryah, and the Iryah decides what happens in the public area. 
We are running PR explaining how it is dangerous to go into the light rail lane - as soon as we turn the streets into festivals, it outs peoples lives into danger." (source: NRG)

While one would wish for a decrease in the level of chillul shabbos, this does not seem like much of an issue for protest. People are riding their bikes anyway, and they are riding their bikes in fairly empty streets. So what's the difference if it is this lane they are using or that lane? What's the difference if they are riding their bikes in one place or if they ride them in a different place?

At least they are not officially sanctioned by the city, so they are just a bunch of private people riding bikes. If it was an activity that was officially sanctioned and promoted by the Iryah, I could see the need for an official statement of protest.

And the suggestion that allowing the streets to be used for festivals puts people into danger is ridiculous. streets are used for festivals and special activities all the time, including in the haredi community.

I don't see this as such a big deal that requires people to get upset and fight with each other.