Bicycling to save the Dead Sea

Some 300 bicycle riders from around the world will cross the Jordanian and Israeli borders next month in the interest of saving the Dead Sea. The bicycling ride around Dead Sea: the world's saltiest sea at the lowest place on Earth, will take place from January 24-26. It aims to express values such as cooperation, environmental consciousness, education, community contribution, sport, health, and tourism.

Above all, participants hope to raise world awareness of the importance of preserving the Dead Sea area, which is in danger of evaporation. The rally riders from Israel, Jordan, and elsewhere -- professionals and amateurs -- will ride side by side to circumnavigate the perimeter of the Dead Sea - 260 km - in three days.

The event is sponsored by the Israel's Foreign and Tourism ministries, the Jordanian Tourism and Antiquities ministries, the Israeli and Jordanian Cycling Union, UNESCO, Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), Research and Development of the Dead Sea, Megilot Regional Council Dead Sea, and the Tamar Regional Council Dead Sea.

"The Dead Sea area and its surroundings are a base for road and mountain cycling activities for thousands of riders from all over the world, because of the ideal climate and the variety of natural and tourist attractions," said event initiator Uriel Aharonov, the regional council engineer. "We will develop this area as the lowest cycling park in the world."

Organizers also hope to promote the transformation of the area into an international heritage site by UNESCO and boost tourism all around the Dead Sea.

For further information about the rally, contact the Megilot Regional Council Web site: www.dead-sea.org.il and for biking in Israel for international riders: www.bikeisrael.com.

By Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs