英語美文欣賞:美國的自行車一族

進入本世紀中葉，自行車在美國作為旅行工具已被小車所取代，甚至中學生開始駕車上學。現在，美國人在馬路上騎的.自行車不是為了代步，而是以鍛鍊身體為目的。美國的街道上一般沒有自行車專用道，因此，騎自行車時得特別小心才是。在行駛中，若要轉彎時，需作出相應的手勢：向左轉彎伸出左手示意即可，向右轉彎時，仍要伸出左手，彎肘，使前臂與地面形成角度，手臂與頭部基本平齊。

Cycling

While the rest of the world carried on cycling during the 1950s and 1960s, America forgot how;even high-school children would drive to school. Recently there has been something of a renaissance in cycling, and in many areas

it is a very useful way of getting around , especially where bike paths or bike routes have been established. You may well want to buy, hire or borrow a bike.

There are two important consequences(後果) of this earlier decline in cycling in the USA. One is that many people do not know how to cycle. That is, cyclists often behave more like pedestrians(行人) than motorists: they rid

e on the pavement(人行道) or on the wrong side of the road; they ignore stop signs and traffic lights; they ride without lights at night;they give no hand signal(示意). The other consequence is that cycling is regarded by many people not so much as a way of getting from A to B but as a way of life, a form of exercise, etc. As a result , large number of young Americans have ten-speed racing bikes. These are very hight and fast and great if you are cycli

ng long distance , riding up mountains or racing. At first , though, you may find them awkward(笨拙) for cycling in town, sight-seeing or shopping--they are expensive, uncomfortable and hard to control until you get used to them, and unsuitable for bumpy(崎嶇不平的) groundor stony roads.

There are also ordinary bikes around. If you get hold of one of these ,you may find that the brake(剎車) work by pedaling(踩踏板) backwards. This is perhaps safer than ordinary brakes when it is wet, but it seems to be less

effective. This arrangement also means you can"t pedal backards in order to get the pedals in the right place for getting on or moving off.

Hand Signals

One thing you should note is that the hand signals Americans are supposed to give differ from most other countries". If you are turning left, you st

ick out your left hand. But if you are turning right, you do not stick out your right hand. Instead , you stick out your left arm and bend if at the elbow(肘) so your forearm is at right angles to the ground and your hand is about level with your head.

Cycling on the Right

When you travel by bike, always ride on the right of the road. The safest way to turn left is to stay at the edge of the road, stop opposite the point that you want to cross to and then go straight over when the road is clear.

Locking up Your Bike

Do be very careful about locking your bike up. You will notice many American cyclists carrying enormous chains(鏈條) for this purpose,and you will see that in many areas they take pains to pass the chain throught the frame a

nd both wheels and to attach the bike to something fixed like a lamp will even see people taking their front wheel off and carrying it with them when they leave the bike. Stealing bikes(especially ten-speed bikes) is ob

viously big business.

Cycling Gear

Because of the sporting/exercise-oriented associations of cycling, Americans very often wear sporting type clothing , Americans very often wear sporting type clothing when on a bike, and women very rarely wear skirts or dres

ses. Many cyclists also wear light crash helmets(防撞頭盔)(編輯 李傑)