In Israel, what two-wheeled activity becomes common on empty streets during Yom Kippur?

In Israel, bicycle-riding becomes common on empty streets during Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is a solemn day of fasting and prayer, beginning before sunset and ending after nightfall. Although driving is not generally prohibited by Israeli law, motor traffic becomes extraordinarily scarce in practice. With cars largely absent, roads and city streets become unusually open spaces for bicycles.

The custom is especially associated with secular Israeli children and teenagers, including riders in Tel Aviv. Inline skating is also common, but it is not the answer to this question—and motorized scooters do not fit the same traditional description of quiet, car-free streets.

Israel’s cycling culture has deeper roots. Bicycles were used in the region by the late 19th century, and organized cycling appeared in events such as the first Maccabiah Games in 1932. Yom Kippur’s distinctive traffic pause gives everyday cycling its most visible annual showcase.