The first bicyclist I passed on the wide bike path in Tel Aviv had a surfboard balanced on the back of his bike. The next one was a yarmulke-clad biker hugging a baby to his chest. I was entertained and impressed by the various items and the kids a parade of bicyclists were carrying. Being cooled by the mist from the Mediterranean’s waves surging on the shore a mere 50 yards from me was a bonus.

Biking through a city, whether it’s Beijing in China or here in Tel Aviv, Israel, is an easy way to learn more about the locals and see the sights.

I had arrived after long flights from Colorado and needed to get out in the fresh air.

Tel Aviv has a self-service bike system, similar to ones in several U.S. cities, including Denver. You can easily rent a bike in one part of the city, by putting money or a card into a kiosk, then drop the bike off in another part of the city at one of the official racks.

However, I wanted to be able to lock my bike at various points along the more than five kilometers of wide paved areas bordering the sea. Knowing I also intended to explore Jaffa, I rented a bike that came with a sturdy lock, from a shop recommended by the concierge at my hotel.

Peddling along, I passed young surfers paddling out to catch waves, and women in traditional Muslim hijab hair coverings seated on rocks watching their toddlers play. Nearby, a man had parked his bike that sported a fishing rod. He was chatting with a friend who already had a line in the water.

Exploring Jaffa

Crowds of young people and tourists filled the seaside path as I biked closer to Jaffa, an ancient port city turned (in part) into a tourist attraction. I could only get partway up the winding road, until I reached a point where I used that lock to secure my bike to a sturdy bike rack.
The streets were just one- and at times two-persons wide, and filled with tourists, people seated outside chatting with neighboring shop owners, and locals moving swiftly to get their chores done. After wandering for an hour, I got back on my bike and coasted down a bumpy road back toward the hotel.

Challenging Biking in Israel

Biking in the urban setting didn’t require a lot of physical effort. You can find a list of places to bike in Tel Aviv here. If you want to experience some active, adventure filled mountain biking in the Negev, it’s easy to arrange.