阅读理解
(2019·合肥质检)Cycling is well known to improve individual health and fitness; it also benefits the wider population in terms of economy, transport and environment. The E．U. promotes cycling via many measures primarily to achieve sustainable(可持续的) clean and energyefficient transport systems. However, despite the fact that the benefits outweigh the risks by 20∶1, many consider the risks too great and that the fear of danger on the road needs to be handled. Cycle lanes(车道) have been used to improve cyclists’ safety and encourage more cyclists onto the road. This research in transport aims to study the effect of cycle lanes on cyclists’ safety where passing space given by overtaking(超车) vehicles is concerned.
In this study, the authors used a bicycle equipped with cameras to record vehicle overtaking in varying road situations to determine whether cycle lanes, color block cycle lanes or no cycle lanes affect passing distances and cyclists’ safety. Their 3 comparisons measuring vehicle passing widths found greater overall distances given with a cycle lane than without. Color block vs. uncolored cycle lanes showed little or no difference, as did no cycle lanes vs. color block cycle lanes. Color block lanes had a slight negative effect suggesting that drivers are more careful when cycle lanes have less definition(清晰度)．
Interestingly, the authors conclude that other factors have a far greater effect on cyclists’ safety than presence or absence of cycle lanes. Road width, parking, opposite vehicle flow and speed were key influences on decreased passing widths. The authors also note that driver behaviour is a hugely important factor and urge more research in this area.“In order to reduce risks and encourage more cycling, reducing and calming the existing motorised traffic must be explored first.” They suggest，“Lane width is the most significant variable(变量) to achieve a sufficient vehicle passing distance. The narrow cycle lanes (<2m) may be not enough. Reconsideration of the entire road design and further exploration of driver behavioural factors are required.”
【解题导语】 本文主要讲述了为了实现可持续的清洁和节能的交通系统，欧盟大力推广使用自行车，并指出在自行车的推广过程中要解决安全的问题。
1．What is the main purpose of the E．U.’s promoting cycling?
A．To reduce air pollution.
B．To build better transport systems.
C．To improve people’s health.
D．To help people save money on transport.
B 解析：细节理解题。根据第一段第二句“The E．U. promotes cycling via many measures primarily to achieve sustainable(可持续的) clean and energyefficient transport systems.”可知，欧盟通过多种途径推广使用自行车主要是为了建立可持续的清洁和节能的交通系统，故B项正确。
2．According to the study, color block lanes may ．
A．make drivers a bit careless
B．cause no overtaking
C．get cyclists to feel safer
D．lead to greater passing distances
A 解析：推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句“Color block lanes had a slight negative effect suggesting that drivers are more careful when cycle lanes have less definition(清晰度)．”可知，彩色车道有轻微的负面效应，当自行车车道清晰度较低时驾驶员要更小心。据此可以判断，彩色车道会使驾驶员变得粗心，故A项正确。
3．In the researchers’ eyes, the first step to encourage more cycling is to ．
A．redesign and rebuild the roads in a city
B．do more research in public bicycle programs
C．restrict the number of vehicles running on the road
D．make strict traffic rules to control driver behaviour
C 解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中的“In order to reduce risks and encourage more cycling, reducing and calming the existing motorised traffic must be explored first.”可知，为了降低风险，鼓励更多地使用自行车，首先要减少现有的机动车辆，即控制路上的机动车的数量，故C项正确。
4．The authors of the research think that drivers’ behaviour ．
A．needs further exploration
B．is an unimportant factor
C．makes cycle lanes narrower
D．is the most significant variable
A 解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Reconsideration of the entire road design and further exploration of driver behavioural factors are required”可知，需要对驾驶员的行为因素做进一步探索，故A项正确。
