Some Governments Encourage Bicycle Use As Lockdowns End
2020-05-08
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Some governments are urging people to avoid unsafe crowding on trains and buses by riding bicycles.
2The suggestion comes as countries ease coronavirus-based restrictions on business and other activities.
3But cycling activists say governments could do more.
4And some people are not welcoming of bicycles.
5Countries and cities across the world are considering how bicycles can help their economies open up again.
6In Bogota, Mayor Claudia López has urged everybody returning to work this week to cycle to their jobs instead of using public transportation.
7The French government has asked cycling activist Pierre Serne to create a plan for when its lockdown ends on May 11.
8His suggestions include the creation of bicycle lanes separated from other vehicles.
9The estimated cost for such a change is 50,000 euros per kilometer.
10It is unclear if the French government will accept Serne's ideas.
11For now, France has said it will give riders as much as 50 euros, nearly $55, for bicycle repairs.
12In Berlin, Germany, the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg council painted yellow lines on some roads to define them as bike only, taking the space from existing car lanes.
13This bike system builds on what is called "tactical urbanism," city developments that are low-cost, simple and easy.
14Similar programs are appearing elsewhere.
15In Lima, Peru; Barcelona, Spain; and Milan, Italy, officials are moving quickly on plans to expand bike paths or take driving space from cars.
16From Germany to Peru, cycling activists want to make more changes for travelers on two wheels.
17As cities open up across the world, they see a more important way to involve bicycles.
18Morton Kabell co-chairs the European Cyclists' Federation.
19The move to more bike-friendly environments "is necessary if we want our cities to work," Kabell said.
20He added, "A lot of people will be afraid of going on public transportation, but we have to get back to work someday. Very few of our cities can handle more car traffic."
21In addition to separate bike lanes, Kabell is pushing for government financial support for electric bicycles.
22Such support would persuade commuters who have more difficult journeys to use bikes.
23Cycling supporters say many minds still must be changed.
24They note that many officials have called for more use of private vehicles during the lockdown.
25Different countries had different policies about bicycles.
26In Britain, where people are still permitted to leave home to exercise, cycle shops have remained open during the lockdown that began March 23.
27But in Spain, the government closed such shops, but permitted gasoline stations to remain open.
28And while bike-sharing in London and Paris was provided free to health care workers, most Spanish cities shut down the services, saying they would help spread the coronavirus.
29Madrid's successful bike sharing operation reopened only last week.
30Bikes are disinfected nightly, and riders must wear gloves.
31Still, bicycles are not accepted everywhere.
32Juan Pasamar lives in Zaragoza, Spain.
33He said police stopped him as he traveled to work on a bicycle.
34"The attitude of the police is the attitude that many people show in the streets," said Pasamar, who keeps riding, even at the risk of being stopped again.
35He said, "Bicycles are for many just a nuisance."
36I'm John Russell.
1Some governments are urging people to avoid unsafe crowding on trains and buses by riding bicycles. The suggestion comes as countries ease coronavirus-based restrictions on business and other activities. 2But cycling activists say governments could do more. And some people are not welcoming of bicycles. 3Governments urging for bike use 4Countries and cities across the world are considering how bicycles can help their economies open up again. 5In Bogota, Mayor Claudia López has urged everybody returning to work this week to cycle to their jobs instead of using public transportation. 6The French government has asked cycling activist Pierre Serne to create a plan for when its lockdown ends on May 11. His suggestions include the creation of bicycle lanes separated from other vehicles. The estimated cost for such a change is 50,000 euros per kilometer. 7It is unclear if the French government will accept Serne's ideas. For now, France has said it will give riders as much as 50 euros, nearly $55, for bicycle repairs. 8In Berlin, Germany, the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg council painted yellow lines on some roads to define them as bike only, taking the space from existing car lanes. This bike system builds on what is called "tactical urbanism," city developments that are low-cost, simple and easy. 9Similar programs are appearing elsewhere. In Lima, Peru; Barcelona, Spain; and Milan, Italy, officials are moving quickly on plans to expand bike paths or take driving space from cars. 10Cycling activists 11From Germany to Peru, cycling activists want to make more changes for travelers on two wheels. As cities open up across the world, they see a more important way to involve bicycles. 12Morton Kabell co-chairs the European Cyclists' Federation. 13The move to more bike-friendly environments "is necessary if we want our cities to work," Kabell said. 14He added, "A lot of people will be afraid of going on public transportation, but we have to get back to work someday. Very few of our cities can handle more car traffic." 15In addition to separate bike lanes, Kabell is pushing for government financial support for electric bicycles. Such support would persuade commuters who have more difficult journeys to use bikes. 16Bicycles and acceptance 17Cycling supporters say many minds still must be changed. They note that many officials have called for more use of private vehicles during the lockdown. 18Different countries had different policies about bicycles. 19In Britain, where people are still permitted to leave home to exercise, cycle shops have remained open during the lockdown that began March 23. 20But in Spain, the government closed such shops, but permitted gasoline stations to remain open. 21And while bike-sharing in London and Paris was provided free to health care workers, most Spanish cities shut down the services, saying they would help spread the coronavirus. 22Madrid's successful bike sharing operation reopened only last week. Bikes are disinfected nightly, and riders must wear gloves. 23Still, bicycles are not accepted everywhere. Juan Pasamar lives in Zaragoza, Spain. He said police stopped him as he traveled to work on a bicycle. 24"The attitude of the police is the attitude that many people show in the streets," said Pasamar, who keeps riding, even at the risk of being stopped again. He said, "Bicycles are for many just a nuisance." 25I'm John Russell. 26Aritz Parra reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 27________________________________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29lane -- n. : a part of road that is marked by painted lines and that is for a single line of vehicles 30handle - v. to deal with (a person, situation, etc.) successfully 31glove -- n. a covering for the hand that has separate parts for each finger 32attitude -- n. the way you think and feel about someone or something 33nuisance - n. a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or that causes trouble or problems - usually singular