世界节假日博览 第100期:骑车上班日

 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.

在北美，5月的第3个周五为“骑车上班日”。美国自行车联盟于1956年发起。鼓励大家上下班骑车。当今世界，全球变暖日益严重，骑车是减少碳足迹的理想选择。比起驾车或公交，骑车上班有益健康。减少医疗压力是健康社会的重要标志。当然，这要取决于地点远近。骑车经济实惠。骑车上班能够增强创造力，增强活力，提高工作效益。

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!

自行车是最常见的交通工具。全球约10亿辆自行车。它也是史上最火爆的发明。中国是自行车大国。甚至在技术发达的日本，许多商人、农民、妇女、工人仍然使用自行车。自行车发明于19世纪，但变动一直不大。如今，自行车拥有了档位，良好的刹车性能以及减震装置，但形状始终如一。如今，我们用它娱乐、健身、邮递、巡查治安等，它还是奥运会比赛项目。没有它，世界或将停滞不前！

1.full of 装满

例句：His head is full of nonsense⁶. 

他满脑子荒唐念头。

2.stop doing 停止做

例句：People must stop doing this. 

人们必须停止做这。

3.global warming 全球变暖

例句：We do not fight global warming because it is futile⁷ to do so. 

我们不对付全球变暖的斗争，因为以这样做是徒劳的。

4.public transport 公共交通

例句：The new museum must be accessible by public transport.

新博物馆必须能乘坐公共交通工具到达。

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。

6 nonsense   

n.胡说，废话

参考例句：

• Go along with you! What you say is all nonsense!去你的！你说的全是废话！
• "Don't talk nonsense",she said sharply.“别胡扯”，她严厉地说。

7 futile   

adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的

参考例句：

• They were killed,to the last man,in a futile attack.因为进攻失败，他们全部被杀，无一幸免。
• Their efforts to revive him were futile.他们对他抢救无效。