Blind Israeli bikers assisted by guide dogs

The streets of New York are a challenge for bicyclists, with potholes, traffic, and pedestrians. But on May 1, they ruled the roads on the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour. For Aviva Stern, an Israeli mother of three, the 42-mile trip was not about the sights, but about competing the route.

Stern gradually began losing her sight at age eight, but with a guide dog at her side, she navigated the Israeli landscape by bike. “I was determined to control the blindness and not let blindness control me,” Stern said.

Together with retired Israeli Brigadier General Moti Regev, Stern founded the CanVelo Bike Club, a subsidiary of the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, where visually impaired Israelis can exercise together. Stern’s racing partner was Pele, a golden retriever trained to warn her about parked cars, red lights, and checkpoints. “Having such a professional school here in Israel makes all the difference,” Stern said. “Before the Center opened, a blind person had to speak English and travel abroad for a professionally trained guide dog.”

Together with their dogs, members of CanVelo regularly hold bike tours throughout Israel, showing their ability to overcome challenges in a public setting. “Our goal is to raise awareness about the obstacles visually impaired Israelis face in Israel and show that the human spirit can overcome many challenges,” Regev said.

The group currently has approximately 60 members, but with enough funds, Regev hopes to raise awareness of CanVelo in Israeli society. With more than 27,000 blind Israelis, the county has one of the highest per capita rates of blindness in the world.

“There are generous people out there,” Regev said. “They will make our dream come true.”