Some countries spend a lot of money to make bicycle usage easier. Why is this? Is this the best solution to traffic congestion?

范文及解析

Introduction

In recent decades, driven by various factors, be they environmental concerns, health benefits, or the desperate need to alleviate traffic congestion, there has been a significant increase in the expenditure of many countries to promote the use of bicycles within cities.This essay will explore the reasons behind this investment and assess its effectiveness in comparison to other potential solutions.

解析

本次大作文考题整体简单，出题方式上虽然采用了不太常见的混合型提问，先要求分析政府投资自行车行为的原因，后要求论述该方法是否是最好的缓解交通拥堵的最好方式，其本质就是与不同的方法比较论述各自的有效性;

❖ desperate adj.极需要的，

❖ alleviate v.减轻，缓和

译文参考：

近几十年来，无论是出于对环境的担忧、健康益处，还是迫切需要缓解交通拥堵，许多国家都大幅增加了在城市内推广自行车使用的支出。这篇文章将探讨这种投资背后的原因，并评估其与其他潜在解决方案相比的有效性。

Body paragraph 1

Reasons accounting for governments to invest in bicycle infrastructure are many and the primary one would be its environmental impact. Bicycles, as is widely acknowledged, produce zero emissions, which can significantly reduce air contamination in densely populated urban areas. By encouraging cycling, cities can lower their carbon footprint and contribute positively to the global effort in combating climate change. Additionally, bicycles, compared with private cars, are a sustainable mode of transport that conserves non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. Another compelling reason for the government to earmark funds for bicycles is the tangible boons they offer in helping people to keep healthy. Cycling is a form of physical exercise that can make a difference in reducing obesity rates and improving cardiovascular health. By providing safe and convenient cycling routes, governments can encourage their citizens to adopt a more active lifestyle.

解析

(1) 政府投资自行车基础设施的原因之一是其对环境的影响。

(2) 另一个令人信服的原因是骑自行车在帮助人们保持健康方面提供的明显好处。

❖ account for v. 解释，说明;

❖ contamination n.污染;

❖ densely populated 人口密集的;

❖ combat v.与……作斗争;防止，减轻;

❖ compelling adj.令人信服的，有说服力的;

❖ earmark vt.指定……的用途;划拨(款项);

❖ tangible adj.明确的,可感知的;

❖ boon n.裨益，优势;

❖ make a difference v.产生影响：引起变化;

❖ cardiovascular adj.心血管的;心脏强化运动的;

译文参考：

政府投资自行车基础设施的原因有很多，其中最主要的是其对环境的影响。众所周知，自行车不产生排放，这可以显著减少人口密集的城市地区的空气污染。通过鼓励骑自行车，城市可以减少碳足迹，并对全球抗击气候变化的努力做出积极贡献。此外，与私家车相比，自行车是一种可持续的交通方式，它节省了化石燃料等不可再生资源。政府为自行车拨款的另一个令人信服的原因是它们在帮助人们保持健康方面提供的明显好处。骑自行车是一种体育锻炼形式，可以减少肥胖率并改善心血管健康。通过提供安全便捷的自行车道，政府可以鼓励其公民采取更积极的生活方式。

Body paragraph 2

Pumping money into bicycle infrastructure can be also of help in alleviating traffic congestion, a universal ticklish problem in many urban areas. Bicycles take up less space than cars, and thus, encouraging cycling can lead to fewer vehicles on the road, easing traffic jams and improving overall mobility. While investing in bicycle infrastructure has its merits, it is far from the optimal solution to urban transportation problems. Elevating public transportation systems, such as buses and trains, can also reduce traffic congestion and be less detrimental to the environment than private car usage. Furthermore, technological advancements like electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles offer potential solutions to reduce emissions and improve traffic flow.

解析

(1) 投资自行车基础设施也有助于缓解交通拥堵。

(2) 完善公共交通系统如公交车和火车，也可以减少交通拥堵。

(3) 电动汽车和自动驾驶车辆这样的技术进步提供了减少排放和改善交通流的潜在解决方案。

❖ pumping v.注入;

❖ ticklish adj.不安定的，不稳定的;难对付的;

❖ ease v.减轻，放松;

❖ optimal adj.的，最适的;

❖ elevate v.提起;提高，增加;

❖ detrimental adj.有害的，不利的;

译文参考：

投资自行车基础设施也有助于缓解交通拥堵，这是许多城市普遍面临的棘手问题。自行车占用的空间比汽车少，因此，鼓励骑行可以减少道路上的车辆数量，减少交通堵塞，提高整体的流动性。虽然投资自行车基础设施有其优点，但它远非解决城市交通问题的方案。完善公共交通系统，如公交车和火车，也可以减少交通拥堵，并且与个人汽车使用相比，对环境的影响更小。此外，像电动汽车和自动驾驶车辆这样的技术进步提供了减少排放和改善交通流的潜在解决方案。

Conclusion

To recapitulate, while investing in bicycle infrastructure is not the panacea to urban transportation challenges, it is a valuable component of a multifaceted approach, addressing environmental concerns, promoting public health as well as smoothing traffic congestion. However, it should be part of a broader strategy that entails public transportation enhancements and the integration of cutting-edge technologies.

解析

❖ recapitulate vi.概括;重述要点;

❖ panacea n.灵丹妙药;药;

❖ multifaceted adj.多层面的,要从多方面考虑的;

❖ address v.处理，设法解决;

❖ smooth v.抚平;解决问题，消除困难;

❖ integration n.结合，融合;

❖ cutting-edgeadj.领先的;

译文参考：

总之，尽管投资自行车基础设施并非解决城市交通挑战的良药，但它是一个多方面策略中宝贵的组成部分，它解决了环境关切，促进了公共健康，同时也缓解了交通拥堵。然而，它应该是一个更广泛战略的一部分，包括完善公共交通系统和整合技术。