Cyclists worldwide are taking to the streets to show solidarity for both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with UCI ProTeam Israel Premier Tech (IPT) and the amateur Gaza Sunbirds Paracycling Team coordinating over 100 rides across the globe.

IPT will mark the 100th day of the Israeli hostage crisis with mass solidarity rides on Sunday 14 January. “The Ride to Bring Them Home” plans to attract over 10,000 participants, including 4x Tour de France champion Chris Froome. Cyclists in Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, London, Sydney, Los Angeles, Frankfurt and Hong Kong, as well as other cities will participate. They will tie a yellow ribbon on their handlebar and ride as a symbol of solidarity with the 130 hostages still held by Hamas, and as an expression of hope that they will soon return home safely. 

“Their suffering and that of all the other captives deeply affects me, and I call on all cyclists to come out for a solidarity ride that day – just as I will myself – in the hope that this show of support will bring them closer to returning home,” Chris Froome said.

In war-torn Gaza Strip the Gaza Sunbirds have been thankful for worldwide support of the “Big Ride For Gaza,” a solidarity ride to support the plight of 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza. Taking place last weekend in 12 countries and 65 cities, including London, Belfast, Los Angeles, Chicago and Sydney, cyclists rode with bells, whistles, flags, kuffiyehs and Palestinian colors to peacefully advocate for a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israeli occupation.  In addition, funds were raised to support relief programs run by the Gaza Sunbirds, whose members have been injured and permanently disabled by Israeli Defense Forces.

Photo Credit: Gaza Sunbirds, IPT

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