为保持社交隔离，欧洲国家鼓励民众骑自行车或步行。
Bike or walk — don’t drive
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As countries across Europe begin easing their coronavirus lockdown, a Key question governments face is how to get their populations moving again without chaos on the road and rail.
With reduced public transport services and social distancing rules, preventing traffic jams on the roads will be a priority. So governments across the continent have been coming up with innovative ways to encourage people to cycle or walk instead.
The UK
The UK government has announced a $2.48 billion package to put cycling and walking “at the heart of” the country’s post COVID-19 transportation plan to relieve the pressure on public transport.
$310 million of the package will be used to improve cycling and walking infrastructure, including building wider sidewalks and the introduction of cycle-only streets.
Italy
Italy’s Transport Minister Paola de Micheli has announced a package for its citizens to claim a $548 subsidy (补贴) on newly bought bikes.
The offer applies to people living in a municipality with more than 50,000 inhabitants and can be claimed when they buy a traditional or electric bike, scooter, hoverboard, Segway, etc.
France
The French government has asked people to use bicycles to commute to work instead of their cars when the full COVID-19 lockdown ends on 11 May.
An initiative from the Energy and Transport Ministry includes developing temporary bike lanes and up to $21.94 million worth of subsidies towards the cost of repairs.
People will be allowed up to $55 for repairs while employers are supported to cover up to $438 of travel costs of staff who commute by bike. The plan also includes an increase in bicycle parking spaces and training for people who haven’t ridden for a while to get them back in the saddle.
Spain
Spain’s Environment Minister Teresa Ribera has asked mayors to extend bike lane coverage, reduce car speed limits and provide more bike parking in a bid to “overcome resistance generated from habits and conceptions that are well-established”.
Cities such as Madrid and Barcelona already have a good bike system in operation, although they are being improved.
Old lanes in the cities are being widened so that cyclists can follow the social distancing measures, whilst completely new lanes are also being formed.
Reading comprehension
( ) 1. Who can apply for the subsidy in Italy?
A. One who lives in a small village.
B. One who wants to buy a new energy car.
C. One who has the intention to go out by bike.
D. One who lives in Rome and is buying a new bike.
( ) 2. In which country can employees most probably get money if they bike to work?
A. Italy.
B. Spain.
C. France.
D. The UK.
( ) 3. What does Spain do to ease the public traffic pressure?
A. Build wider sidewalks.
B. Provide more bike parking.
C. Offer citizens a discount if they buy bikes.
D. Put cycling and walking at the core of its transportation plan.
(选自学英语《环球阅读》高二 第31期 3版)
参考答案与解析
Key
1-3 DCB
答案解析
本文的语篇类型是说明文，主题语境是人与社会之历史、社会与文化。为了防控疫情、保持社交隔离，欧洲一些国家鼓励民众出行骑自行车或步行。
1. D。推理判断题。根据Italy部分的内容可知，这项补贴适用于居住在人口超过五万的大城市，并要购买自行车、滑板车或平衡车等代步工具的居民，故选D。
2. C。推理判断题。根据France部分的内容可知，雇主们将得到政府资金支持，为骑自行车通勤的员工提供交通补助，故选C。
3. B。细节理解题。根据Spain部分的内容可知，为鼓励民众骑自行车，西班牙环境部长要求市长采取扩大自行车车道的覆盖范围，降低车速限制，并提供更多的自行车车位等措施，故选B。
