英语课程计划-Bike-to-Work Day

Bike-to-Work Day is held every year across North America on the third Friday of May. It was started by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956. Its aim is to promote the bicycle as a serious choice of getting to and from work. In today’s world where global warming is a serious issue, the bicycle is a perfect way of reducing our carbon footprint. Cycling to work is a healthy alternative to driving or taking public transport. A healthier society means there is not so much pressure on the country’s health system. Of course, it depends how far you live from your place of work. Cycling is also much kinder on your pocket. Another benefit of cycling is feeling more creative and full of energy once you get to work, which will improve your performance.

Bicycles are the most common form of transport in the world. There are about one billion worldwide. This makes it the most popular invention ever. When we think of some countries, like China, we imagine hundreds of people cycling everywhere. Even in high-tech¹ Japan, it is impossible not to see businessmen, farmers, mothers or workers in the streets on their bikes. Bicycles were invented in the 19th century and haven’t changed much since. Bicycles now have gears², better brakes and suspension³, but the shape is the same as before. We use bicycles today for recreation, fitness⁴, policing, Olympic competition, mail delivery⁵ and lots more. Without the bicycle, much of the world might stop working!

1 high-tech   

adj.高科技的

参考例句：

• The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
• The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。

2 gears   

n.齿轮( gear的名词复数 )；装备；挡；（做某事的）速度

参考例句：

• Careless use of the clutch may damage the gears. 离合器使用不慎可能会损坏传动装置。
• A car has five gears. 汽车有五挡。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 suspension   

n.悬挂，悬浮液，暂缓，未决，中止

参考例句：

• The local authorities decided to build a suspension bridge over the river.地方当局决定在这条河上建一座吊桥。
• A four-day suspension was imposed on her.她被勒令停职4天。

4 fitness   

n.适合，适当，健康，健身

参考例句：

• They're doing exercises to improve their fitness.他们为增强体质而做体操。
• No one questions her fitness for the job.没人怀疑她能胜任这项工作。

5 delivery   

n.交付；投递；分娩；解救者；演讲的风格

参考例句：

• The strike caused a great delay in the delivery of the mail.这次罢工严重地延误了邮件的投递。
• He was employed at the local grocery store as a delivery boy.他受雇于当地杂货店当送货员。