Traditional Bikes Lead Yom Kippur Demand Despite E-Scooter Surge

As Yom Kippur approaches, data from Israel's Yad2 classifieds site reveals that traditional bicycles remain the most sought-after items in the cycling category, accounting for over half of all searches. This trend persists despite a significant increase in interest for electric scooters and e-bikes.

Between August and October, searches for electric bikes and scooters rose by 22% to 29%, while regular scooters saw a 19% increase and traditional bikes a 16% rise compared to other months. However, the supply side shows a stronger response from sellers of traditional bikes, with a 23% jump in listings, compared to a more modest 8% to 9% increase for electric models.

Overall search volume confirms the dominance of traditional bicycles, making up 53% of all searches in the cycling category. Electric scooters follow at 22%, electric bikes at 16%, and regular scooters at 9%. While 'electric scooter' is the single most popular search term (20.2%), surpassing 'bicycle' (17.7%), traditional bikes win when all related categories are combined.

Savings on used items are substantial, particularly for electric bikes and scooters, where used models can be over a thousand shekels cheaper than new ones. For traditional bikes, the price difference is smaller, making them accessible across various budgets. For instance, a popular Inokim OX 60V electric scooter can be found on Yad2 for 35% to 43% less than its retail price.

Bicycle repair shops are advising cyclists to perform thorough checks several days before Yom Kippur, focusing on helmets, brakes, chains, tires, bolts, and lights. Specific attention is recommended for children's bikes, ensuring proper fit and that young riders understand how to use the brakes. For electric bikes and scooters, owners are cautioned against overcharging batteries and advised to seek professional repair for any frame damage, as DIY fixes can be dangerous.