The trail is being built by Derech Eretz, the operator of the Trans-Israel Route 6 Highway, Israel's first toll road. Bicyclists were just one of the many groups opposed to the construction of the highway, which covered many of their favorite trails with asphalt. Now, the company intends to return to them some of what was taken.
The preliminary trail will be a circular route from the Ben Shemen Forest, near Modiin, to Nachal Sorek – the area where the villainess Delila, of the Book of Judges, lived.
The second stage of construction will create a circular route between the Elyakim interchange, near Haifa, and the Beit Kama Junction, near Sderot and former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s HaShikmim Ranch.
Bicycling has become increasingly popular in Israel, with hundreds of thousands of bikes sold each year in recent years. In major cities such as Tel Aviv, efforts have been made to create bicycle lanes along major thoroughfares and in parks.
Some alternative energy advocates say an increase of bicycling contributes greatly to weaning Israel off the oil that funds the hostile Arab world.
It was announced Wednesday that bike rentals will begin to be available at many of Israel’s train terminals in the near future.
Click here for a program developed prior to the construction of Highway 6 for bicycling across Israel, from north to south, including historic sites and scenic sights along the way.