Momentum is growing for the mass global solidarity cycling event being held on Sunday (14 January) to mark the 100th day since the 7 October attacks and the kidnapping of hundreds of people to Gaza.

Tens of thousands of cyclists are now expected to take part in the ride – spearheaded by Israel – Premier Tech, together with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the Israeli Cycling Federation – and in several special cycling events held simultaneously at the Velodrome in Tel Aviv and major capitals across the globe.

Since the announcement of the global ride, there has been an inspiring mobilization of cycling enthusiasts all over the world.

In addition to the planned events taking place across four continents, cyclists everywhere are being encouraged to ride on Sunday with yellow ribbons tied to their bikes, and to upload photos of their rides to social media with the hashtag #RideToBringThemHomeNow.

Confirmed events for Sunday 14 January include:

Amsterdam
Antwerp
Atlanta
Barcelona
Brussels
Cape Town
Clifton
Dana Point
Frankfurt
Guatemala City
Hong Kong
London
Los Angeles (Santa Monica and Thousand Oaks)
Madrid
Mar de Plata
Melbourne
Miami
Paris
Punta del Este
San Jose
San Paulo
Santiago
Scottsdale
St Louis
Sydney
Tel Aviv
Tenafly

This Ride to Bring Them Home Now has been met with a huge response around the world.

In Los Angeles, a Jewish/Israeli cycling club named Team Israel, led by 66-year-old Isaac Goren, swiftly initiated an ambitious operation with the objective of recruiting 136 riders to symbolize the 136 hostages. Within days, the small club received an overwhelming response, prompting the creation of an additional ride in Santa Monica and a planned helicopter flight carrying a “Bring Them Home” banner to fly above the riders.

Goren said: “The response was enormous; they all want to be part of this initiative to see those hostages return to their families. It’s a humane message that everyone can relate to; it’s not political.”


Photo: This helicopter will fly over the Santa Monica ride

Meanwhile, over 10,000 kilometres away in Melbourne, Australia, a similar enthusiasm has taken hold, with more than 350 riders already signed up for Sunday’s ride. Zady Lawrence, Executive Director of Zionism Victoria, said: “I am not surprised. The Jewish community has never been more engaged than in the days following 7 October.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has played a pivotal role in encouraging global participation, with events planned in Mar del Plata, Argentina; Atlanta, USA; Madrid, Spain; and Brussels, Belgium.

Independent communities, such as fans of IPT, joined the cause, including Hong Kong Jewish Community activist Hayley Goldberg, who said: “We can’t ignore a call to do something as basic as tying a yellow ribbon and making the world aware of this tragedy.”

Barcelona’s Israeli community has also embraced the challenge, with hundreds having so far signed up for the ride from Olympic Park to City Hall. Eran Shlingbaum, an Israeli living in Barcelona said: “There are many people in Barcelona behind us and certainly behind this cause.”