Reading - Bicycles for City Transportation

Get Ready to Read

As you read the following article, think about answers to these questions:

Do you own a bicycle? If yes, how often do you use it?

Do a lot of people from your hometown or city ride bicycles?
Does your town or city have special bicycle lanes or special bicycle paths?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bicycles as a form of transportation?

Previewing Vocabulary

Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs

solution produce annual significantly
encourage severe
production
damage
popularity overconfident
segregate
rate avoid
congestion
equipment

Bicycles for City Transportation

(A) All over the world, an increasing number of people are buying cars. An increase in cars
means more roads, more traffic, and more pollution. One solution to these problems is more
bicycle use. Bicycles have many advantages: they do not pollute, they are inexpensive, and they
can improve people’s health. Of course, bicycles also have disadvantages compared to cars.
One significant drawback is that they are slower than cars. Cars can also carry more people and
products. However, some city leaders believe bicycles have more advantages than
disadvantages. As a result, these cities are trying to increase the use and popularity of bicycles.

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 Source: https://www.europeandatajournalism.eu/eng/News/Data-news/Pedal-power-wins-over-European-cities

(B) Bicycles are already well-accepted and popular in many countries. There are more than a
billion bicycles around the world, and the number is increasing every year. Experts predict that
annual sales for bicycles will soon be $80 billion as their popularity increases. Bicycle
production has gone up significantly since the middle of the twentieth century. In 1960, the
rate of production was 20 million bicycles every year. In 2007, it was more than 130 million.
(See Graph 1.1) China produces more bicycles than any other country. Two of every three
bicycles sold in the world today are made in China.

Graph 1.1 Bicycle Production (in millions)

Source: Eco-Economy Indicators - Bicycle Production Breaks 100 Million | EPI (earth-policy.org)

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(C) In many cities around the world, traffic congestion and pollution are serious concerns.
Bicycles can help cities with some of these severe problems. As a result, some cities have
started bicycle-sharing programs. These cities hope these programs will help reduce traffic and
pollution. These programs encourage people to leave their cars at home and use bicycles
instead. The programs provide hundreds or thousands of bicycles across the city. Everyone
shares them. People can get a bicycle in one place, ride it for a short time, and leave it in
another place. After that, another person can use it. Because these bicycle-sharing programs
can help people to use cars less, they benefit the environment and reduce crowded city streets.

(D) The popularity of bicycle sharing is growing. In 2010, there were about 200 bicycle-sharing
programs in cities all over the world, including Barcelona, Mexico City, Paris, Montreal, and Rio
de Janeiro. That is almost double the number of programs in 2008. The biggest bicycle-sharing
program is in Hangzhou, China. It has more than 60,000 bicycles. Many of these programs are
very successful. However, they also have some problems. Each year, many bicycles are stolen or
damaged. Although bicycle-sharing programs are increasingly popular, they do have some
drawbacks.

Photo Source: Bloor Street Bike Lane Pilot Project Proposed for Summer 2016 |
UrbanToronto
(E) Globally more people are riding bicycles, so bicycle
safety is becoming an important issue around the world.
Most bicycle accidents occur with cars. As a result, many
cities and towns try to separate bicycles and cars. They
created paths for bicycles that are not on the street.
They have also created bike lanes on streets to segregate
riders from cars. The introduction of special paths and
separate bike lanes encourages people to take bicycles
instead of cars. Studies in Denmark and Canada showed increases of almost 20 percent in the
number of people on bicycles after special paths were built. However, research shows that
these paths and lanes do not always decrease the number of bicycle accidents. Instead, bicycle
riders think they are more protected on these paths or lanes and become overconfident. This
overconfidence leads them to be too sure of themselves. Therefore, they sometimes ride less
carefully on the paths and lanes than they do on roads directly with cars.

(F) Bicycle riders can take steps to stay safe while riding. First, all bicycle riders should wear a
helmet. A helmet protects a rider’s head in an accident. Most people who die in bicycle
accidents are not wearing protective equipment like helmets. Of course, it is also important to
avoid an accident. Many accidents occur because riders do not follow the traffic rules. Riders
should follow the same rules as cars and signal their movements clearly with their arms. In

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addition, riders should make sure they are visible. Most accidents happen because cars cannot
see bicycles, so bicycle riders need to be easy to see at all times. At night, they should always
have a light on their bicycle. Indeed, with these simple steps, riding a bicycle can be a safe way
to get around.

(G) Bicycles and bicycle-sharing programs are good for riders and cities. Riding a bicycle is less
expensive than driving a car, so it saves riders money. Bicycles also give people exercise. This
can improve riders' health. Secondly, bicycles are good for cities, too. Now bicycle-sharing
programs are cheaper than new buses or new trains. Bicycle use also reduces the number of
cars, so the streets are not overcrowded. Perhaps the most important impact is their effect on
pollution. When more people use bicycles instead of cars, air pollution decreases. However, all
of these positive impacts are only beneficial if riders use bicycles safely and cities take steps to
include bicycles in their design and development.

Adapted from:
Making Connections 1: Skills and Strategies for Academic Reading 2nd Edition Jessica Williams, Cambridge
University Press, 2013. p.110-114

Exercises - Bicycles for City Transportation

Getting Meaning from Context - Vocabulary Practice

Recall the different kinds of context clues you have studied. As you locate the
meaning from context, think about what kind of clue you are using.
"fingerprint" by blvesboy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Context Clues

transition or key word example logic / background information

definition / explanation punctuation word parts (suffix/prefix)

another sentence another word or group of words

1. In many cities around the world, traffic congestion and pollution are serious concerns.
Bicycles can help cities with some of these severe problems.
severe problems = serious problems like traffic congestion and pollution

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 context clue used = another sentence

2. There are more than a billion bicycles around the world, and the number is increasing
every year. Experts predict that annual sales for bicycles will soon be $80 billion as their
popularity increases.
annual = ___________________________
context clue used = ___________________________

3. Instead, bicycle riders think they are more protected on these paths or lanes and
become overconfident. This overconfidence leads them to be too sure of themselves.
Therefore, they sometimes ride less carefully on the paths and lanes than they do on
roads directly with cars.
overconfident = _____________________________
context clue used = ___________________________

4. A helmet protects a rider’s head in an accident. Most people who die in bicycle
accidents are not wearing protective equipment like helmets.
protective equipment = ___________________________
context clue used = ___________________________

Checking Your Vocabulary

Check your understanding of vocabulary from the reading selection. Read the definitions below
and write words and expressions that fit these definitions. The letters in parentheses refer to
paragraphs in the reading.

1. an answer to a problem (A) solution

2. the number of times something happens or how fast it happens in a period of time (B)
______________
3. happening or occurring in an important or noticeable way (B) ___________
4. to make someone more likely to do something (C) ___________
5. to stay away from a person, place or situation (G) _______
6. to make or create something (B) _________
7. getting attention in a great or important way (B) ______________
8. the making or manufacturing of something (B) _________
9. when a place is too crowded and movement is difficult (C) _________

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 10. to keep something separate from another (E) ________
11. to harm, break or ruin something (D) ______________

Prefixes Practice Exercise

The following are words with prefixes from the reading “Bicycles for City Transportation”. Write
the meaning of each prefix on the blank provided.

inexpensive = in = not
bicycle = bi = __________
disadvantage = dis = __________
predict = pre = ____________
decrease = de = ___________
overconfident = over = _________

Reading Strategy: Identifying the Main Idea

Determine the main ideas of paragraphs B, C, D, E, F, G in the reading selection. Match each
paragraph to its main idea. Write the number of the paragraph.

____ 1. Bicycle-sharing programs are becoming popular.

____ 2. The number of bicycles in the world is growing.
____ 3. Bicycle-sharing programs can reduce pollution and traffic.
____ 4. Bicycle riders need to do things to stay safe.
____ 5. Both bicycles and bicycle-sharing programs bring benefits to cities and riders.
____ 6. Cities and towns are trying to improve bicycle safety.

Reading Strategy: Identifying Supporting Details

Every paragraph includes a main idea and specific details (explanations, facts, ideas, and
examples) that support and develop the main idea. Complete the graphic organizer with
information from Paragraph D, F, and G.

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Paragraph D

Supporting Detail 1:
-2010 over 200 bicycle-sharing programs in
cities around the world

Paragraph D Main Idea: The popularity Supporting Detail 2:

of bicycle sharing is growing.

Supporting Detail 3:

Paragraph F
Major Support 1: wear a helmet

Supporting Details 1a: protect rider’s head

in an accident

Supporting Details 2a: greater chance of

d hi id ih h l
Main Idea of Paragraph F: Bicycle
riders can take steps to stay safe Major Support 2:
while riding. Supporting Details 2a:

Supporting Details 2b:

Major Support 3:

Supporting Details 3a:

Supporting Details 3b:

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Paragraph G
Major Support 1: good for bicycle riders

Supporting Detail 1a:

Main Idea of Paragraph G:

Bicycles and bicycle-sharing
programs are good for riders and Supporting Detail 1b:
cities.

Major Support 2: good for cities

Supporting Detail
2a:

Supporting Detail
2b:

Supporting Detail 2c:

Comprehension Check

1. What are the disadvantages of bicycles compared to cars?

a. They are heavy.
b. They are slow.
c. They cannot carry a lot of things.
d. They are too expensive for poor people.

2. People in China ride bicycles more than people in other countries. True False

3. From Graph 1.1, which statement was true about bicycle production in 2007.
a. It was double the production of 1990
b. It was less than the production 10 years before.
c. It was more than three times the production of 1970.
d. It is only a little higher than the production in 1980.

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 4. From the reading, which statements are true about bicycle-sharing programs. Circle all
possible answers.
a. People can use the bicycles for a few weeks or months.
b. Riders can pick up a bicycle in one place and leave it in another place when they
are finished.
c. The number of bicycle-sharing programs are increasing.
d. Bicycle-sharing programs can help reduce pollution.

5. According to the reading, what is one problem bicycle-sharing programs have?

a. People prefer to drive.
b. Bicycle-sharing programs lose a lot of money.
c. Not enough people use shared-bicycles.
d. Many bicycles are taken by thieves.

6. According to the research in Paragraph E, what are some of the consequences of

separate bicycle paths and lanes. Circle two answers.
a. The number of accidents goes down.
b. The number of bicycle riders goes up.
c. Riders are often less careful.
d. Riders stop wearing helmets.

Critical Thinking

Discuss the following questions. Use the reading and your knowledge to support your opinions
and ideas.

1. Do you agree that governments should try to control the number of cars on the road?
2. How can governments encourage citizens to use public transportation more?
3. How can governments encourage citizens to use bicycles more?
4. What other ideas do you have that might help to reduce the number of cars on the road
and lessen traffic congestion?
Created by L. Johnson, 2021

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Pronoun Reference

Pronouns are words that are used in the place of nouns. Subject pronouns are used for nouns
that are subjects. I, you, he, she, we, and they are all subject pronouns.

Because pronouns take the place of nouns, they help our writing to be less repetitive. It is
important to use the correct pronouns when we write. Also, when you write, remember to
replace a noun with the same pronoun every time. This is called using pronouns consistently. As
a reader, we also have to pay close attention to pronouns so that we know which noun the
pronoun is referring to. To find the noun that a pronoun refers to, look back in the sentence or
the sentences that come before it.

Match the dates with significant events in Canada’s history. Pay attention to bolded nouns and
their pronouns:

1. July 1, 1867 a. After years of testing, Dr. Fredrick Banting finally perfected the
formula that led to the discovery of insulin. He provided a cure for
diabetes.

2. May 24, 1918 b. Universal health care started in Saskatchewan on this date and
within 10 years all Canadian provinces and territories would have it.
Free health care for all is an important part of Canadian freedoms.

3. January 22, 1922 c. The new maple leaf flag was made official on this date. It is one of
the most recognizable flags in the world.

4. July 1, 1962 d. Canada became a country on this date. July 1st is celebrated as
Canada’s birthday. It is a national holiday for Canadians.

5. January 28, 1965 E. Many Canadian women fought for the right to vote. They were
called suffragists. Finally at the beginning of this year, women over the
age of 21 received the right to vote. However, they could not all vote.
Minority women were excluded from voting at first.
Created by L. Johnson, 2021

Which subject pronouns replace the words in bold? Add the correct pronouns.

1. My friend and I watched the news conference on TV. ______ (you / we) thought it was
informative and important. __________ (you / we) will never forget the words of the
Prime Minister during the newscast.

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 2. More than 5 million people watched the news conference with Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau. _______ (They / We) watched from their televisions, computers, and phones
to hear _________ (his / her) words.

Choose the correct pronoun to complete each sentence:

I he she it we you they

1. The power went out in our neighbourhood and all the lights went out. _________
were out for five hours last night.
2. Why couldn’t Bob come over last night? Was ________ working?
3. My friends and I love to watch soccer. _________ think it is the best sport, and _____
get together to watch _______ every Sunday afternoon.
4. Fanshawe College is a well-known college with many programs. ____ has an excellent
reputation and is a popular college to study at.
5. Sally, what are you doing right now? Do _______ want to come over for a coffee?
Created by L. Johnson, 2021

Determine the noun that each pronoun is referring to in the article about Montreal:

Montreal, one of Canada’s largest cities, is a popular tourist

destination for several reasons. First, the city has a beautiful
location. ItA sits on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence
River. Montreal is also both modern and historic. There are
many luxury hotels for tourists, itB has a clear and efficient
subway system, and visitors can find a wide variety of shops
and restaurants, especially downtown. The oldest area of the town, the Vieux Montreal, is very
beautiful because many of itsC oldest buildings were protected and preserved as areas of the
city were rebuilt or developed. The most interesting thing about Montreal may be itsD French
quality. Approximately two-thirds of the people living in or near Montreal are of French origin,
and theyE speak French as well as English. TheyF are bilingual. In addition to the strong French
influence, there are large groups of people from Germany, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Morocco,
and China living thereG. Indeed, all of thisH makes Montreal a great place to visit.

A. it = Montreal E. they =
B. it = F. they =
C. its = G. there =
D. Its = H. this =
Adapted from Britannica.ca, 2021

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