Q. I tend to walk along the area of Bathurst & Lawrence a lot. I find the boys from the Yeshiva at Bathurst and Lawrence especially when the weather is nice, zoom down and I mean zoom down the sidewalk on their bikes. I have witnessed them actually nearly missing seniors walking (since this area is populated with seniors) and me as well. Instead of saying sorry they just laugh when you tell them to slow down. I actually contacted the police and its actually illegal to bike on the sidewalk especially fast. I hope Rabbi Bartfeld, you can contact the yeshiva at Bathurst & Lawrence and speak to the director to warn its students to ride their bikes safely and slowly. I don't believe it’s a mitzvah to endanger people's lives by unnecessarily zooming down the sidewalks on their bikes. Please take this seriously, with the nice weather approaching I do not want to walk in fear on a public sidewalk. I contacted another rabbi in Toronto and he just ignored my point and did nothing. I feel the director of the yeshiva will listen to you more, being a rabbi, than me just a citizen of Toronto.
A. Thank you so much for your well founded, accurate concern and to your interest in the welfare and safety of others. There is no question that you have touched on an important issue that should be addressed by all affected.
I presented your e mail letter to Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a and other prominent community Rabbis yesterday, and they all shared your concerns. They related their own experiences with youngsters zooming by and crossing streets against lights without looking; putting themselves and others in danger.
The suggestion that emanated from this preliminary meeting was that besides speaking to the directors of the Yeshivot on the area; (there are at least three large ones,) other steps should be taken such as:
This safety issue should be presented amply and correctly to the students in all Yeshivot and schools.
The Vaad Harabanim of Toronto should also contact their over fifty members of pulpit rabbis, and request they dedicate some public time to the awareness and great importance of this matter.
Hatzala, be contacted and request they print an awareness poster, as they do in similar situations, to be distributed and advertised on all shuln, institutions and establishments that should be involved.
As we are now so close to Pesach and all people are dedicated and occupied with the approaching Yom Tov, it is advisable to begin immediately after Pesach.
Thanks again and may Hashem grant His blessings of bracha and hatzlacha to all who care for His children.
Chag Sameach.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
