15.5.2010
120 Bedouin Arab teenagers from the desertcycle together with 10,000 other Israeli cyclists at Etgarim's annual Wheels of Love cycling eventin the north of Israel
Etgarim, an organization that enables people with special needs to take part in sports activities, and the Israel Cycling Federation joined forces to organize a national cycling event in the north of Israel on 15 May 2010, which provided a first opportunity for Bedouin Arab children from the desert to leave their homes and take part.
Six weeks after the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, donated 800 all-terrain bikes to the eighth grade Bedouin children in the Abu Basma region, 120 of these children were able to test them out for real for the first time, at the Wheels of Hope event in the Jezreel Valley when they joined some 10,000 other Israeli riders to cycle 55 kms, at an event that raised money forthe Etgarim non-profit organization.
Thesekids' participation is a direct continuation of the "Cycling in Fellowship in the Desert" project that was launched in April, with the help of the Bikes For All project of the Israeli Cycling Federation. This project instructs the school children in the region through 27 local cycling clubs under the auspices of the Abu Basma Regional Council.The 120 teenagers chosen for the Etgarim event were driven to the Jezreel Valley the night before and slept in the region of the event in order to be able to participate at its dawn opening.
This is the first among many popular cycling events that includes children from the Bedouin sector as well as Israelis of all other sectors and ethnicities. The children had a tremendous experience as they rode in the Jezreel Valley, so far from home, and met riders from all parts of the country as they enjoyed the healthy sports environment and activities.
The event certainly fulfilled the vision of Etgarim and Bikes For All,to enable those with special needs to take part in society. All the proceeds from the event are designated to opening two cycling clubs especially for people with special needs in Acre and Netanya.
For further details, please contact Eyal Hershtik of the Israel Cycling Federation:
and please see
See below the photos from the event. The photos may be reproduced at no charge, but note the credit line: Shai Giterman, Anderlin.