JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Rabbi Bentzion Mutzafi, one of the most prominent Sephardi poskim, spoke out sharply against riding on electric scooters and electric bicycles and termed such riding “a suicidal act.”
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One of Rabbi Mutzafi’s disciples asked him to pray for a person who had suffered a serious head injury while riding an electric bike.
In response, Rabbi Mutzafi wrote that “there is no police, no visible enforcement or deterrent. Anyone who goes on intercity roads and even local roads sees the total lawlessness with electric bicycles and electric scooters which are absolute tools of murder.
“I bless the hand which will sign a prohibition against riding electric scooters and bikes on the roads. I bless the parents who prevent their children from riding on them. They lead to Gehinnom and the rider is classified as suicidal. I doubt whether he has a portion in the World to Come.
“Traffic supervisors, take initiative and stop them and you will save lives.”
A few months ago Rabbi Mutzafi suggested that those who have children who ride electric bikes or scooters should hang in a central place in their homes the names of those killed on these vehicles and warn their family members against riding them.
That’s for E”Y. How about the streets and sidewalks in our neighborhoods in NY that are buzzing with pedestrians and challenged by these fast moving gadgets piloted by young children? Don’t blame HKB”H for not protecting people in the places where conscious choices to take risks are being made. Our yeshivos will make a fuss how their talmidim and talmidos dress when they are at home, but will not ban these dangerous vehicles with enforcement. How tragic and silly.
The same is true for aggressive automobile drivers and those who flout the rules .
Electric bicycles are not much worse than the 50cc “mopeds” of 24-44 years ago: However, in Israel, moped riders were required to have driving lessons, and obtain a driving license. People riding these, without helmets, were promptly ticketed.
A true Gadol who cares
Just in the last few days alone, just since Shabbos, there were multiple fatalities reported on this very website from incidents on the road, in the USA and in Eretz Yisrael. They were not from electric bicycles or scooters however, rather cars or trucks. The overwhelming majority of casualties (G-d forbid), and danger on the roadways come from such vehicles, which are much more powerful and dangerous than the bicycles or scooters.
So while there should be increased care and safety measures with all vehicles, one group of riders should not be scapegoated over others.
Roads can and should be designed to be safer, and have more (and additional protected lanes) space for such vehicles. It is not fair for the roads to be so dominated by cars and trucks. There are already too many cars and too many car lanes. Their numbers need to be reduced.
He is so correct. They are extremely dangerous. They speed on the sidewalks where people are walking and cause accidents (lady on our block got knocked done by a kid riding such a vehicle and needed surgery). I almost hit with my car a fellow in his thirties driving on the street on his electric scooter. Was pure nissim that I noticed him in the last second.
They are dangerous. Rabbi Bender in Darchei Torah was the first Menahel that had the guts to outlaw their usage.
And the one that wrote that they are becoming lazy and not getting any exercise is 100% correct.
And yes – anyone driving a car too fast, not abiding by the rules (like ignoring red lights), or c”v texting while driving, are also dangerous to society
as always, these will say yay, these will say nay, and the shalom that will come out between them is the riders still riding, and the naysayers shutting up.
These kids aren’t getting any exercise whatsoever by using these dangerous scooters either. A bunch of spoiled lazy rich kids.
Is Rabbi Mutzafi running to become next head of Sephardi Jewry following recent פטירה of Rav Cohen זצקללה”ה
The Gedolim were against automobiles in the early 1900’s. Fancy gilded carriages were safer.
Ban all cars too. Don’t u know people have died in cars?
Did he talk against murderers in white coats having unproven, unsafe shots ? A lot more people were killed than with scooters.