It is almost unanimous among contemporary halachic authorities that it is forbidden to ride a bicycle on Shabbat.[1] This is true even in a neighborhood that is enclosed by an Eruv, which allows one to carry, push a stroller, or otherwise move objects outdoors. There are a number of reasons for the prohibition against riding a bicycle on Shabbat, even though doing so does not seem to violate any melacha or other forbidden Shabbat activity.

Among the reasons for the prohibition against riding a bicycle is the concern that one might accidentally leave the eruv boundary, or even the "techum Shabbat", the maximum distance that one is permitted to travel on Shabbat. It is obvious that it is forbidden to ride a bicycle on Shabbat where there is no Eruv, as it is forbidden to move or transport anything outdoors in such a place on Shabbat.

There is also the real possibility that one's bike might break while riding it, such as the chain falling off, thereby tempting one to repair it in order to be able to return home. Of course, repairing broken appliances on Shabbat is a severe transgression.[2] Bike riding is also categorized under "Uvdin D'chol" – activities that are inconsistent with the spirit of Shabbat.[3] Furthermore, the tires of a bicycle often cause ditches and grooves to be created in the ground through their movement. Knowingly making such impressions in the ground on Shabbat is often forbidden due to the melacha of choresh.[4]

When the issue of riding a bicycle on Shabbat was first dealt with by halachic authorities, there were many who permitted it in a place surrounded by an eruv.[5] Most of these authorities, however, later retracted their rulings for a variety of reasons.[6] The riding of tricycles by children, along with scooters and roller skates, for that matter, is generally not subject to any of the concerns mentioned above, and therefore many halachic authorities allow children to ride them on Shabbat.[7] Nevertheless, the use of bells, horns, and certainly any electrical devices on Shabbat is forbidden, even for children. Furthermore, such devices must be removed from the tricycle before Shabbat.[8] Rabbi Lior Shilian of Kibbutz Ein Tzurim wrote an essay arguing that an adult with physical limitations may be allowed to ride an adult tricycle on Shabbat.[9]

Although it may be technically permitted to use rollerblades or skateboards on Shabbat, especially in a place that is surrounded by an Eruv, one should not do so, as such activities are not in keeping with the spirit of Shabbat.[10] Nevertheless, it is reported that Rav Moshe Feinstein allowed someone who lived several miles from his synagogue to travel to the synagogue on Shabbat by means of rollerblades, provided that the “shoe” and “blades” were one piece and not two separate pieces that were attached to one another. It seems that all such skates and rollerblades these days are indeed one piece.[11] Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg is said to have ruled similarly.[12] There have also been rabbis who fully permitted the use of skates on Shabbat.[13] A scooter (“korkinet”) should not be used on Shabbat.[14]

[1] Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchata 16:17; Kaf Hachaim, OC 404:8; Emek Halacha 1:26; Mayim Chaim 128; Mishne Halachot 7:71, Tzitz Eliezer 1:21, 7:30; Rivevot Ephraim 3:600, 7:264. See also www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDisplayRead.asp?readID=2426 for a review of the issues.

[2] Yabia Omer 10:54:12.

[3] Tzitz Eliezer 7:30:1. See also Chatam Sofer 6:97.

[4] See Magen Avraham 337:1; Yabia Omer 10:54:12; Yechave Daat 3:53; Teshuvot Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer, OC 49. Nevertheless, the concern for a violation of the melacha of choresh is questionable. As Rav Shimon Eider writes in his “Halachos of Shabbat” p. 43 concerning baby carriages on Shabbat: "Even should depressing the ground be inevitable [psik reisha], should the baby carriage or wheel chair be so heavy that it will inevitably make indentations on the ground, it is permissible. The reason is that the depressions made by the wheels on the ground are not considered as furrows, because the wheels press down the earth and the prohibition of [making a furrow] is where the earth is dug out.”

[5] See for example Rav Pe’alim, OC 25, who writes: “We should not make new enactments based on our own opinions. It is sufficient if the people of these generations would be careful with the enactments explicitly decreed by the sages. Therefore, it is permitted to ride a bicycle in a place with an Eruv on Shabbat or Yom Tov, even if only for recreation.”

[6] See Be'er Moshe 6:16.

[7] Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 16:17; Be'er Moshe 6:16; Ashrei Ha’ish, OC 2:17:211, 2:33:1,2.

[8] Magen Avraham 301:35.

[9] Riding a Tricycle on Shabbat For Those With Difficulty Walking, in Sefer Barkai: The Rabbinate and Community in Changing Times (Heb.) Renana Press. P.1175

[10] Rivevot Ephraim 3:206.

[11] See: http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v9/mj_v9i79.html#CRT

[12] See http://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/72/Q1/. But see Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 16:17.

[13] Dibrot Eliyahu 7:20; Or L’tzion 2:42:2. For more on skates and bicycles on Shabbat see Avnei Derech 7:48.

[14] Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 16:17; V’harev Na Vol II p.241.