Because of this, city-residents opt for motorized scooters that live on the streets and use crowdsharing to charge them, in addition to taking advantage of bike-share programs, skateboards and the city's extensive public bus network.
I really enjoy having so many options for getting around. At home, I have a car that I need to think about often–– it needs gas and maintenance and sometimes I need to pay for parking. In Tel Aviv, I can leave my house and check an app on my phone that displays all of the nearby bikes and scooters available for rent. They are very inexpensive and easy to rent. I just walk up and scan a QR code on my phone, and the bike unlocks! I ride it from my house to my office or the beach, and then I lock it and leave it for the next person to use. I think it's a great freedom from having a personal car, and it makes me think of my own car as less essential. It's especially fun when I'm with friends and we can all bike together without having to plan it in advance.
Getting around in Israel is very connected to the culture. Israel is a very community-oriented place. People will often treat you like an extended relative, even if you're just shopping in their store. They greet you warmly and they're generally very easygoing. This immediate closeness also means that even things as impersonal as city buses can become a loud and somewhat cramped conversation hall, especially around rush hour.
