Thirty years ago, most teenagers had bicycles, but now they are comparatively rare.{{U}} (56) {{/U}}, motor scooters(小型摩托车)are much more common.{{U}} (57) {{/U}}, this may seem to be a sign of progress but{{U}} (58) {{/U}}the change is not necessarily for the better. It is easy to see why young people prefer scooters.{{U}} (59) {{/U}}, they are much faster and do not require much physical effort;{{U}} (60) {{/U}}, you can take a passenger with you on the pil-lion(后座)seat behind;{{U}} (61) {{/U}}, they give young people a feeling of independence, be-cause they can travel further and impress their friends.{{U}} (62) {{/U}}, the disadvantages are equally obvious.{{U}} (63) {{/U}}first sight, scooters are more expensive to buy and to maintain, and{{U}} (64) {{/U}}those under 16 are not allowed to have them.{{U}} (65) {{/U}}, greater freedom brings danger because speed encourages young people to take risks and as a result scooters are in-volved{{U}} (66) {{/U}}more accidents, and the accidents are{{U}} (67) {{/U}}more serious. Bicycles are safer and easier to control. Years ago, teenagers had more experience with them because they{{U}} (68) {{/U}}to ride as young children, and consequently knew what they were capable of.{{U}} (69) {{/U}}, many young people overestimate what a scooter can do and pre-tend it has the power of a motorcycle.{{U}} (70) {{/U}}, the fact is that bicycles are not very safe{{U}} (71) {{/U}}in cities these days because there are more cars and drivers are not used to them and do not make allowances for them. {{U}} (72) {{/U}}, those who are old enough to ride scooters naturally prefer them. Those who are too young or cannot afford to buy a scooter probably find bicycles glow and uncomforta-ble {{U}} (73) {{/U}}, and riding bicycles requires{{U}} (74) {{/U}}experience of traffic than before. On bal-ance, the change has been for the worse,{{U}} (75) {{/U}}for the 13-and 14-year-olds, but the only safe solution would be to have special lanes(车道)for cyclists. |