Between the pre-fast meal and bike trails: Yom Kippur preparations at their peak

Preparations for Yom Kippur are at their peak: last-minute shopping, bicycles coming out of storage, security forces gearing up for the day when roads will empty of vehicles. A bike shop owner reports a surge in demand, and Magen David Adom prepares for falls and dehydration cases. Police deploy officers across the country.

Preparations for Yom Kippur in Israel are at their peak. Last-minute shopping is underway, bicycles are coming out of storage, and security forces are preparing for the day when roads will empty of vehicles and fill with pedestrians and riders. Rami, a bike shop owner, reports a surge in demand: "Every year we organize preparations with the bikes that sell best, of course helmets, accessories, reflectors, lights. Once it was a month before Yom Kippur - today it's a week before Yom Kippur because there are many stores in many areas. We used to sell between 300-500 bikes." Alongside thousands of riders, Yom Kippur requires medical readiness. Magen David Adom prepares for cases of falls, injuries, and dehydration. The police complete their preparations with road closures and traffic arrangement changes, and officers will be deployed across the country.