词汇: cycling 骑车
They say once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. Most of us learnt when we were kids, and many still strap on our helmets, put our feet on the pedals, and shoot off for a ride around the streets. In recent times, cycling has seen a boost in popularity, so the question is, what makes it so appealing to people to straddle their bikes once again?
First, let’s look at the health benefits. Cycling can improve your cardiovascular health and burn excess body fat. Strengthening your leg muscles in your calves and thighs helps to increase your potential torque and cadence. And cycling’s benefits aren’t just physical, but mental as well. A long ride in the countryside could help you to clear your mind, or de-stress. But it’s not only about your body and mind – there are also some plus sides for your wallet’s health.
Cycling can be a great way to commute or get about town. By cycling, you save money on fuel or train fares. If you do drive into work, sometimes finding somewhere to park can be a nightmare, whereas finding somewhere to chain your bike up can be much simpler. Then, on the train, there are changes at stations and other commuters speaking loudly on their phones to deal with. Cyclists face neither of these issues. And if you’re worried about safety, there are designated cycle lanes in many major cities. Wearing high-visibility clothing, sometimes referred to as ‘hi-vis’, is another way to improve your safety when cycling on the roads.
Finally, cycling can also be good for the environment. It can help you to reduce your carbon footprint. Not pumping out fumes into the atmosphere is better for the planet and your own environment.
So, whether people want to cycle for their health, getting about town, their wallet, the environment, or a combination of all of them – the popularity of cycling is on the rise.
词汇表
strap on 系上，系好
helmet 头盔，安全帽
pedal 脚蹬子，脚踏板
shoot off 快速骑走
straddle 骑，跨坐
cardiovascular 心血管的
burn 燃烧
body fat 体脂
calf 小腿肚
thigh 大腿
torque 扭转力
cadence 节奏，韵律
commute 上下班往返，通勤
get about 出行，外出走动
fare 车费
chain （用链条）锁住
cycle lane 自行车道
high-visibility 高能见度
carbon footprint 碳足迹
