How do you get to school every day? By bus or car? Song Kexin, a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Xiamen, prefers to go to school on her bike. "It's the quickest and easiest way to get to school," she said. "When there's a traffic jam, I feel the freedom while passing so many car lines."
China was once known as the kingdom of bicycles. But these years, the popularity of bicycles in Europe is rising. Last year, more bicycles were sold than cars in Europe, according to the BBC.
Cycling is a safe, clean and cheap way to get around the city. It makes both traffic jams and pollution less, and is great for our health.
Of course, Rome wasn't built in a day. The popularity of cycling in many European countries is greatly because of bike-friendly policies.
As the traditional "cycling capital" in Northern Europe, Copenhagen's roads keep bicycles and motor cars separated(分离) as much as possible. On these roads, there are pre-green lights for cyclists. These kinds of bicycle traffic lights turn green a few seconds before car traffic lights do. They give the cyclists time to avoid traffic while crossing.
In Amsterdam, people can hire a bike from almost anywhere in the city. You can start from three hours and the average price for a full day is 8 euros (66.8 yuan).
This year, in Ruian, there are also similar policies to hire public bikes. It's only 20 yuan for a full day. Do you see them around the city? It's important to be safe when cycling. If you remember the following ideas, you will be safer.
■Although you may think a helmet(头盔) is not cool, it can protect your head if you fall down. Just choose the one that fits you best.
■Stop at all stop signs and obey red lights just as cars do. It's a good idea to walk your bike across busy crossings by following traffic lights.
■If you are cycling with friends, ride in a line. Don't ride with each other side by side.
■Wearing headphones while biking is not a good idea. You need to hear what's going on around you.
