The Most Bicycle Friendly Countries Around the World

Denmark

Cycling is a hugely popular means of transport and a way to see the country in Denmark. In fact, across the country you’ll find huge networks of cycle paths where no motorized vehicles (机动车辆)can go, so you can feel safe while riding your bike. Because of this cycling has become one of the main tourist attractions and activities in Denmark, particularly when it Comes to exploring the beautiful capital city of Copenhagen.

Norway

Because of the popularity of cycling here, you’ll find plenty of bicycle parking and public rentals (出租), so you can simply get a bike and go as you explore the country. Much like Denmark, the dedicated (专用的) bike lanes do not allow for cars or motorised vehicles to enter them.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands the government prefer bikes to cars and encourage people to travel by bike as much as possible. If you’re a tourist visiting big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you can easily hire a bike and explore. There are bike lanes (and bikes) everywhere, they even have their own sets of traffic lights. Much like driving, there are strict rules for cycling in the country and these must obey.

Sweden

While it can get very cold there in the winter, cycling is still enjoyed year-round and the country develops a cycling culture that encourages people to use bikes as their primary means of transport. For this reason, there are supportive measures in place and plenty of places to rent a bike from. Many travel Sweden’s beautiful cities on two wheels, Stockholm, in particular, is a great place to explore on a bike.

What’s more, cycling is so big there that they have pump stations for deflated (泄气的) tires and bicycle-only parking. The use of electric bikes is also becoming more popular here.

Sasha Olsen went on a trip last summer with her family to Vietnam and Japan. She was afraid to see the ocean’s pollution levels and dying sea animals.

“We went on this trip and I was so excited,” said Sasha. She is 10 years old and lives in Bal Harbour, Florida. “But when I saw the way the oceans had become, I got worried. I wanted to know why things were this way but couldn’t find an answer. ”

When she returned home to Bal Harbour, she grew even more disturbed. She learned how some of the beaches in South Florida had been closed by The Health Department because the water had too much bacteria (细菌) in it.

Sasha sought the help of her cousin, Narmina Aliyev. Aliyev is 23 years old and a recent graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in business. Together, they started a nonprofit Iwantmyoceanback in October.

Originally, the group started small, with friends coming together on the weekends to clean the beaches in Bal Harbour. Recently, however, Iwantmyoceanback has hosted events to raise money for beach cleanups and to donate (捐赠) to protection groups such as the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Oceana and World Wildlife Fund, Aliyev said.

In January, Sasha organized “Kids Heal the Oceans” at Bal Harbour beach. There, she spoke about the oceans’ problems and guests made art out of microplastics (微塑料) gathered from the beach cleanup. “At first, our guests were a little shy, but now they’ve felt inspired to speak up! Sasha has inspired many other kids to join Iwantmyoceanback and show people that we’re able to make a change if we come together,’’ Aliyev said.

On February 16, the group threw a Plastic-Free Party. The party included a beach cleanup and guests creating art from the plastic trash they collect. “It’s important to bring awareness not just through doing cleanups and meetings, but to show people they can come together through their hobbies and working together to a common goal,’’ said Sasha.

Australia is the only major honey-producing country that has so far managed to control the spread of a mite (螨) which is harmful to bees. The first step is pouring gas into the beehive (蜂巢). Then it’s time to wait. The job is finished when the hive is burned the next day.

Since last week, this cycle has been on repeat near a port in eastern Australia» part of a government effort to protect the country’s multimillion dollar honey business. Millions of bees have been destroyed to help control the spread of the deadly mite, which reappeared in the country last week near the Port of Newcastle. If the population of mites increased greatly in Australia, it could cost the nation’s honey business more than $ 70 million a year, in addition to its effect on the crops that rely on bee pollination (授粉).

The mites, which are reddish-brown and about the size of a sesame seed, can spread from bee to bee and through beekeeping equipment. If left untreated, the mites could kill an entire colony of honey bees» the government has said.

It’s not easy to control the mite. One of the biggest challenges in the current control effort is figuring out where infected (受感染的) hives are and mapping their spread in a vast area, according to Danny Le Feuvre, the acting head of the Australian Honey Bee Industrial Council. It’s necessary to control the Port of Newcastle and the hives within a 31-mile radius (半径) of it. The port is a major shipping site and one of the world’s busiest export (出口) centres for coal.

So far at least 600 hives have been destroyed in the area. “The beekeepers are very nervous at the moment，” Mr. Feuvre said. He said he was sure the country would be able to control the spread, given its history of previous eradication (根除) efforts of honey bee mites and strict controls at all airports stopping passengers from bringing live plants, soil, fruits and vegetables into Australia.