Electric Bike Enforcement Declines Amid Rising Dangers

Data released by the Or Yarok Association reveals a significant drop in police enforcement against electric bicycle riders, particularly delivery couriers, despite increasing dangers on city streets. In 2025, police issued 22,922 tickets to electric bike riders nationwide, an average of 63 per day. While this represents a slight 5% increase from 2024, it marks a sharp 29% decrease compared to 2021, indicating a decline in enforcement as the use of electric bikes and couriers has expanded.

Local authorities, while adept at enforcing parking and signage violations, largely avoid ticketing riders, leaving pedestrians and drivers to contend with the risks. Tel Aviv, with a high density of couriers, recorded the most tickets at 5,601 in 2025, accounting for 23% of the national total. However, Tel Aviv also suffered the highest number of casualties, with 257 people injured in accidents involving electric bikes, nearly a fifth of the national total.

Nationwide, 1,314 people were injured in electric bike-related accidents in 2025, with nearly four injured daily, and 148 sustaining serious injuries. Ten people died in such accidents during the year. The data also shows 110 children under 16 were injured, despite being legally prohibited from riding electric bikes.

Analysis of accident types shows 27% occurred at intersections and 19% involved riding between lanes. A concerning 10% of accidents involved direct collisions with pedestrians, highlighting the peril faced by those on sidewalks and at crossings. The most common offense, accounting for a third of tickets, was the failure to install a license plate, rather than more dangerous riding behaviors. Only 1,256 tickets were issued for riding on sidewalks, a major concern for pedestrians.

Yeniv Yaakov, CEO of the Or Yarok Association, criticized the lack of enforcement and police presence, stating, "The chaos on the roads is a result of a lack of enforcement and police presence. This mess costs lives." He called for immediate increases in police officers and patrols to enforce traffic violations, emphasizing helmet use and adherence to traffic laws to restore safety for pedestrians.