Could bike share programs lead to greater cycling safety?
In April 2015, Philadelphia introduced a bike share program. By 2019, there were more than 1,300 bikes and 400 pedal-assisted electric bicycles available. People used them for about 50,000 trips a month.
Before the introduction of the bike share program, the rate of bicycle-car accidents had been gradually increasing. By May 2015, the month after the introduction of the program, the rate was twice that of January 2010.
But the researchers, writing in the American Journal of Public Health, found that from that time through the end of 2018, the rate decreased by an average of 13 percent a year, despite the increases over those years in the number of bicycles on city streets, and even though Philadelphia made no major basic construction changes, like adding many protected bike lanes (自行车道).
The lead author, Ghassan B. Hamra, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said it appeared that there is safety in numbers: the more bikes on the road, the more car drivers adapt to their presence, and the safer cyclists may be.
“We all know that bike riding is a healthy activity, physically and mentally,” he said, “but there might be concerns that if you introduce a bike share program there will be negative consequences. We saw no evidence of that in Philadelphia.”
1. What has happened to the number of bicycle-car accidents with the introduction of the bike share program?A.It has increased. | B.It has reduced. |
C.It remains the same. | D.It is unknown. |
A.Many protected bike lanes have been added. |
B.Car drivers are more used to their presence. |
C.More people take up bike riding as a healthy activity. |
D.Negative consequences have appeared. |
A.He is in favor of it. | B.He disapproves of it. |
C.He brought it in. | D.He is concerned about it. |
A.Sharing bikes, cutting accidents | B.Problems with sharing bikes |
C.Basic construction changes | D.Share program in Philadelphia |
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【推荐1】Everyone looks forward to progress, whether in one’s personal life or in the general society. Progress indicates a person’s ability to change the way he is living at the moment. Progress must lead to a better way of doing things. All these, however, remain true only in so far as people want to accept technology and move forward by finding new and more efficient ways of doing things.
However, at the back of the minds of many people, especially those who missed the “good old days”, efficiency comes with a price. When communication becomes efficient, people are able to contact one another no matter where they are and at whatever time they wish to. The click of a button allows people miles apart to talk or to see each other without even leaving their homes. With the communication gadgets, such as mobile phones and ipads, people often do not take the effort to visit one another personally. A personal visit carries with it the additional feature of having to be in the person’s presence for as long as the visit lasts. We cannot unnecessarily excuse ourselves or turn the other person off.
With efficiency also comes mass production. Such is the nature of factories and the success of industrialization today. Factories have improved efficiency. Unskillful tasks are left to machines and products are better made and produced with greater accuracy than any human hand could ever have done. However, with the improvements in efficiency also comes the loss of the personal touch when making these products. For example, many handicrafts are now produced in a factory. Although this means that supply is better able to increase demand, now that the supply is quick and efficient, the demand might fall because mass production lowers the quality of the handicraft and it is difficult to find unique designs on each item.
Nevertheless, we must not commit the mistake of analyzing progress only from one point of view. In fact, progress has allowed tradition to keep up. It is only with progress and the invention of new technology that many old products can be brought back to their old state. New technology is required for old products to stay old.
It is people’s attitude towards progress that causes the type of influence that technology has on society. Technology is flexible. There is no fixed way of making use of it. Everything depends on people’s attitude. The worst effects of progress will fall on those who are unable to think again about their attitudes and views of society. When we accept progress and adapt it to suit our needs, a new “past” is created.
1. According to Paragraph 1, progress can benefit people when they are willing to ________.A.live a better life | B.look for better methods |
C.accept technology and advance steadily | D.change ways of living |
A.describing a process | B.making classification |
C.following time order | D.using examples |
A.lack great accuracy | B.lack the personal touch |
C.are of high value | D.are quite welcome |
A.Progress can suit the needs of daily life. |
B.People review the past with great regret. |
C.People’s attitude decides the use of technology. |
D.Technology should be introduced in a fixed way. |
【推荐2】Freedoms challenge in the Digital Age is a serious topic. We are facing today a strange new world and we are all wondering what we are going to do with it.
Some 2, 500 years ago Greece discovered freedom. Before that there was no freedom. There were great civilizations, splendid empires, but no freedom anywhere. Egypt and Babylon were tyrannies, one very powerful man ruling over helpless masses.
In Greece, in Athens a little city in a little country, there were no helpless masses. And Athenians willingly obeyed the written laws which they themselves passed, and the unwritten, which must be obeyed if free men live together. They must show each other kindness and pity and the many qualities without which life would be very painful unless one chose to live alone in the desert. The Athenians never thought that a man was free if he could do what he wanted A man was free if he was self-controlled. To make yourself obey what you approved was freedom. They were saved from looking at their lives as their own private affair. Each one felt responsible for the welfare of Athens, not because it was forced on him from the outside, but because the city was his pride and his safety. The essential belief of the first free government in the world was liberty for all men who could control themselves and would take responsibility for the state.
But discovering freedom is not like discovering computers. It cannot be discovered once for all. If people do not prize it, and work for it, it will go. Constant watch is its price. Athens changed. It was a change that took place without being noticed though it was of the extreme importance a spiritual change which affected the whole state. It had been the Athenians pride and joy to give to their city. That they could get material benefits from her never entered their minds. there had to be a complete change of attitude before they could took at the city as an employer who paid her citizens for doing her work. Now instead of men giving to the state, the state was to give to them. What the people wanted was a government which would provide a comfortable life for them; and with this as the primary object, ideas of freedom and self-reliance and responsibility were neglected to the point of disappearing: Athens was more and more looked on as a cooperative business possessed of great wealth in which all citizens had a right to share.
Athens reached the point when the freedom she really wanted was freedom from responsibility. There could be only one result. If men insisted on being free from the burden of self-dependence and responsibility for the common good, they would cease to be free. Responsibility is the price everyman must pay for freedom. It is to be had on no other terms. Athens, the Athens of Ancient Greece, refused responsibility; she reached the end of freedom and was never to have it again.
But "the excellent becomes the permanent," Aristotle said. Athens lost freedom forever, but freedom was not lost forever for the world. A great American, James Madison, referred to the capacity of mankind for self-government. No doubt he had not an idea that he was speaking Greek. Athens was not in the farthest background of his mind, but once man has a great and good idea, it is never completely lost. The Digital Age cannot destroy it. Somehow in this or that man s thought such an idea lives though unconsidered by the world of action. One can never be sure that it is not on the point of breaking out into action, only sure that it will do so sometimes
1. What does the underlined word "tyrannies" in Para2 refer to?A.Countries where their people need help. |
B.Powerful states with higher civilization. |
C.Splendid empires where people enjoy freedom. |
D.Government ruled with absolute power. |
A.Athens would continue to be. |
B.Athens would cease to have freedom. |
C.Freedom would come from responsibility. |
D.Freedom would stop Athens from self-dependence. |
A.He is hopeful about freedom. |
B.He is cautious about self-government. |
C.He is doubtful about Greek civilization. |
D.He is critical of Greece's loss of freedom. |
A.Freedom can be more popular in the digital age. |
B.Freedom may come to an end in the digital age. |
C.Freedom should have priority over responsibility. |
D.Freedom should be guaranteed by responsibility. |
【推荐3】Emerging economies struggled to grow through the 2010s and pessimism covers them now. People wonder how they will pay debts during the COVID-19 and how they can grow rapidly as they did in the past in an era of deglobalisation (去全球化).
The freshest of many answers to this issue is the fast-spreading digital revolution. The digital revolution is already as progressive in emerging economies as developed ones. Among the top 30 nations by income from digital services as a share of gross domestic product(GDP), 16 are in the emerging world. Indonesia, for example, is further advanced by this measure than France or Canada. And since 2017, digital income has been growing in emerging countries at an average annual pace of 26 percent, compared with 11 percent in the developed ones.
How can it be that poorer nations are adopting common digital technologies faster than the rich? One explanation is habit and its absence. In societies filled with physical stores and services, customers are often comfortable with them and slow to abandon the providers. In countries where people have difficulty even finding a bank or a doctor, they will jump at the first digital option that comes along. Outsiders have a hard time grasping the impact digital services can have on underserved (服务不足的)populations. Nations lacking in schools, hospitals and banks can quickly bridge these gaps by establishing online services. Though only 5 percent of Kenyans carry credit cards, more than 70 percent have access to digital banking.
It’s early days, too. As economist Carlota Perez has shown, tech revolutions last a long time. Innovations like the car and the steam engine were still transforming economies half a century later. Now, the fading era of globalisation will limit the number of emerging markets, but the era of rapid digitisation has only just begun. This offers many developing economies a revolutionary new path to catch up with the living standards of the developed world.
1. What can we know about the digital revolution?A.It increases people’s debts in deglobalisation. |
B.It prevents emerging economy from developing. |
C.It advances in emerging and developed economies. |
D.It develops most rapidly in Indonesia in terms of GDP. |
A.In economies lacking in online services. |
B.In countries short of basic physical facilities. |
C.In nations with adequate stores and services. |
D.In societies easy to access doctors and banks. |
A.Stable. | B.Hopeful. | C.Depressing. | D.Challenging. |
A.Digital technology saves emerging economies. |
B.Deglobalisation limits technology revolutions. |
C.Emerging economies struggle in the pandemic. |
D.Digital revolution grows better in globalisation. |
【推荐1】Do you want to live another 100 years or more? Some experts say that scientific advances will one day enable humans to last tens of years beyond what is now seen as the natural limit of the human life span.
“I think we are knocking at the door of immortality(永生),” said Michael Zey, a Montclair State University business professor and author of two books on the future. “I think by 2075 we will see it and that’s a conservative estimate(保守的估计).”
At the conference in San Francisco, Donald Louria, a professor at New Jersey Medical School in Newark said advances in using genes as well as nanotechnology(纳米技术) make it likely that humans will live in the future beyond what was possible in the past. “There is a great effort so that people can live from 120 to 180 years,” he said. “Some have suggested that there is no limit and that people could live to 200 or 300 or 500 years.”
However, many scientists who specialize in aging are doubtful about it and say the human body is just not designed to last past about 120 years. Even with healthier lifestyles and less disease, they say failure of the brain and organs will finally lead all humans to death.
Scientists also differ on what kind of life the super aged might live. “It remains to be seen if you pass 120, you know; could you be healthy enough to have good quality of life?” said Leonard Poon, director of the University of Georgia Gerontology Centre. “At present people who could get to that point are not in good health at all.”
1. By saying“we are knocking at the door of immortality”,Michael Zey means_________.A.they have got some ideas about living forever |
B.they believe that there is no limit of living |
C.they are able to make people live past the present life span |
D.they are sure to find the truth about long living |
A.the human body is designed to last past about 120 years |
B.it is possible for humans to live longer in the future |
C.it is still doubtful how long humans can live |
D.people can live from 120 to 180 |
A.a great effort |
B.the conservative estimate |
C.the idea of living from 200 to 300 years |
D.the idea of living beyond the present life span |
A.No Limit for Human Life |
B.Living Longer or not |
C.Science,Technology and Long Living |
D.Healthy Lifestyle and Long Living |
【推荐2】You are given many opportunities in life to choose to be a victim or creator. When you choose to be a victim, the world is a cold and difficult place. “They” did things to you which caused all of your pain and suffering. “They” are wrong and bad, and life is terrible as long as “they” are around. Or you may blame yourself for all your problems, thus internalizing (内化) your victimization. The truth is, your life is likely to stay that way as long as you feel a need to blame yourself or others.
Those who choose to be creators look at life quite differently. They know there are individuals who might like to control their lives, but they don't let this get in the way. They know they have their weaknesses, yet they don't blame themselves when they fail. Whatever happens, they have choice in the matter. They believe their dance with each sacred (神圣的) moment of life is a gift and that storms are a natural part of life which can bring the rain needed for emotional and spiritual growth.
Victims and creators live in the same physical world and deal with many of the same physical realities, yet their experience of life is worlds apart. Victims relish (沉溺) in anger, guilt, and other emotions that cause others — and even themselves — to feel like victims, too. Creators consciously choose love, inspiration, and other qualities which inspire not only themselves, but all around them. Both victims and creators always have choice to determine the direction of their lives.
In reality, all of us play the victim or the creator at various points in our lives. One person, on losing a job or a special relationship, may feel as if it is the end of the world and sink into terrible suffering for months, years, or even a lifetime. Another with the same experience may choose to first experience the grief, then accept the loss and soon move on to be a powerful creative force in his life.
In every moment and every circumstance, you can choose to have fuller, richer life by setting a clear intention to transform the victim within, and by inviting into your life the powerful creator that you are.
1. What does the word “they” in Paragraph 1 probably refer to?A.People and things around you. | B.Opportunities and problems. |
C.Creators and their choices. | D.Victims and their sufferings. |
A.Creators and victims face quite different things in life. |
B.Creators and victims are masters of their lives. |
C.Victims can influence more people than creators. |
D.Compared with victims, creators are more emotional. |
A.strong attachment to sufferings in life pulls people into victims. |
B.people need family support to deal with challengers in life. |
C.it takes creators quite a long time to get rid of their pains. |
D.one's experiences determine his attitude toward life. |
A.To define victims and creators. |
B.To evaluate victims against creators. |
C.To explain the relationship between victims and creators. |
D.To suggest the transformation from victims to creators. |
【推荐3】
As college sports continue to be hugely popular and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) brings in large amounts of money, people have restarted the discussion on whether college athletes should get paid.
Supporters of the idea believe that, because college athletes are bringing in audiences, they should receive some sort of compensation (补偿). In fact, the NCAA brings in about $1 billion income a year, but college athletes don’t receive any of that money in the form of a paycheck. Additionally, people who believe college athletes should be paid state that paying college athletes will actually encourage them to remain in college longer and not turn professionals as quickly, either by giving them a way to begin earning money in college or requiring them to sign a contract (合同) saying they’ll stay at the university for a certain number of years while making an agreed-upon salary.
People who argue against the idea of paying college athletes believe the practice could be disastrous for college sports. Paying athletes would turn college sports into a bidding (竞拍)war, where only the richest schools could afford top athletes, and most schools would be shut out from developing a talented team. It could also harm the friendship within many college teams if players become unhappy that certain teammates are making more money than they are.
Those against paying college athletes also believe that the athletes are receiving enough benefits already. The top athletes receive scholarships that are worth tens of thousands per year. They receive free food and textbooks, get travel bonuses and free equipment, and can use their time in college as a way to attract the attention of professional coaches. No other college students receive anywhere near as much from their schools.
While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives. College athletes have been compensated enough. Adding a salary would result in a college athletic system where only a few athletes are paid by some schools who enter bidding wars to sign them up, while most student athletics and college athletic programs suffer or even shut down for lack of money. Continuing to offer the present benefits to student athletes makes it possible for as many people to benefit from and enjoy college sports as possible.
1. It can be learned from Paragraph 2 that college athletes ________.A.have earned what they are promised |
B.tend to serve college longer when well-paid |
C.should make an agreed-upon salary by signing contracts |
D.prefer to stay at university rather than turn professionals |
A.money should be spent on bonuses |
B.schools would be unable to afford it |
C.it could be harmful to college sports |
D.students would value payments over achievements |
A.Uncertain. | B.Satisfied. | C.Positive. | D.Unsupportive. |
【推荐1】City: Hangzhou
Launched: 2008
Size: 2,965 stations/ 69,750 bikes
Price: $28.59 deposit(押金) + time charge
While taking a look at this city, you may see the best bike sharing in the world. As the second on the planet by size, the Hangzhou Public Bicycle System is one of the most common and useful shares, largely because it’s combined with public transportation: a single card can be used in subway, bus, taxi and bike sharing. Residents and tourists can put down a deposit of 200 Chinese Yuan (about $29) and ride for an hour for free in this scenic city. Each additional hour costs only $0.15. It was also the first new-generation bike-sharing system in China.
City: Barcelona
Launched: 2007
Size: 420 stations/6,000 bikes
Price: $61.93 per year
Barcelona’s Bicycling Program developed Spain’s bike-sharing business in a big way. This program took off like wildfire on wheels, and because four times bigger in one year. It inspired different copycat programs all over the country. Today, Spain has 132 bike-sharing systems. The program is one of the world’s most respected and popular shares. But it is only open to residents and tourists are not allowed to use them.
City: Paris
Launched: 2007
Size: l,751 stations/23,900 bikes
Price: $38. 52 per year/ $2.26 per day
Bike sharing in Paris is the star of the world. Launched in 2007, it is the world’s largest outside of China. Cheap by American standards, you can ride around Paris on a $1.7 day pass—the first half hour of each trip is free. Because this system covers the city with an average of 50 stations per square mile, it’s a favourite with both locals and tourists.
1. What do we know about Barcelona’s Bicycling Program?A.It has driven the development of Spain’s bike sharing. |
B.It has once been ruined by fire accidents. |
C.It is popular among travellers. |
D.It consists of 175,000 bikes. |
A.Nothing for an hour. | B.$61.93 per year. | C.$2.26 per day. | D.$1.7 per day. |
A.They are open to both locals and tourists. | B.They have the same amount of stations. |
C.They were founded in the same year. | D.They require a deposit of over $30. |
【推荐2】Bike rental apps are becoming increasingly popular nowadays due to the growing emphasis on greener transportation systems. The following apps have been shortlisted based on user reviews regarding their applications and services.
1. Gotcha Mobility
Gotcha Mobility is considered one of the top bike rental apps as it provides a wide collection of over 13,000 bikes with availability in 850 stations for renting and returning across the USA. It also offers the option to rent apartments, offices, and electronics, regardless of the operating system.
2. Lime
Lime is another bike rental app available for both Android and iOS devices, offering a range of micro-mobility rides. These vehicles, based in London, are intended for short distances and are not suitable for high-speed commuting. To rent or return Lime bikes, users must download the Lime app and visit the nearest hub (枢纽).
3. Donkey Republic
Donkey Republic is not only a bike rental app but also provides a range of other rental services. Moreover, it offers other features such as no requirement for ID cards, cash, deposits (押金), and docking (入港) stations. Donkey Republic operates in over 100 cities worldwide, making it easily accessible. The best aspect of this application is its compatibility (兼容性) with both Android and iOS devices.
4. JUMP By Uber
JUMP By Uber provides bike rentals in many big cities in America. You can check for available bikes on the map and unlock them when using the app. When you finish your ride, you need to find the nearest hub and end the trip manually through the app. The JUMP app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
1. Why is bike-sharing becoming popular?A.Because it is affordable. | B.Because it is environmentally friendly. |
C.Because it is trendy. | D.Because it is convenient. |
A.Donkey Republic. | B.Lime. | C.JUMP By Uber. | D.Gotcha Mobility. |
A.They are only available in America. |
B.They are only used for bike rentals. |
C.They can be used on either operating system. |
D.They can automatically lock bikes after use. |