Family Cycling Routes Tel Aviv: Safe Paths in Yarkon Park

Tel Aviv added 12 kilometres of new dedicated cycling lanes this month inside Yarkon Park and along the northern section of the Mediterranean promenade between Tel Baruch Beach and the old Tel Aviv Port.

The expansion comes as more residents seek outdoor activity during the peak summer months when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius. City data shows a 28 percent rise in bike-share checkouts between May and June compared with the same period last year, driven largely by families looking for short, flat routes rather than long-distance commuting paths.

Work crews finished marking the lanes on 2 July using green thermoplastic paint and installing low curbs at entry points near the Yarkon River footbridge and at the corner of HaYarkon Street and Reading Bridge. The Tel Aviv Municipality’s Parks Department runs a free monthly orientation ride every first Sunday at 8 a.m. starting from the Sportek entrance on Rokach Boulevard; the next session is scheduled for 2 August.

Two main routes for beginners

The longer loop inside Yarkon Park covers 4.8 kilometres of car-free asphalt that circles the central lake and passes the botanical garden and the open-air gym area. Riders can start at the Tel-O-Fun station beside the basketball courts and exit near the bridge that leads to the Ramat Gan side. A shorter 2.3-kilometre option runs parallel to the sea from the Gordon Pool lifeguard station south to the Charles Clore Park playground, where families can stop for shade under the ficus trees before turning back.

Both routes stay within sight of public toilets, drinking fountains and shaded benches. The coastal section includes two new traffic-light crossings equipped with push-button signals timed for cyclists travelling at 12 to 15 kilometres per hour.

Practical steps before riding

Tel-O-Fun day passes cost 50 shekels and cover unlimited 30-minute rides; longer rentals at private shops near the port average 80 shekels for four hours including a child seat. Riders should download the municipality’s cycling map app, which marks the new lanes in real time and lists station availability. Early morning between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. remains the quietest window before beach parking fills. Parents are advised to bring water bottles and light-coloured clothing, then check the city website for any temporary closures before heading out.