š² Bicycles (S04E03)
Transcript and Vocabulary
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This episodeās vocabulary
- Cycle machine/Stationary bike (noun) ā an exercise machine that can be pedaled like a bicycle
- Like riding a bike (phrase) ā said of a skill that, once learned, is never forgotten.
- Cycle lanes (noun) ā a part of a road that is separated by a line from the rest of the road, for the use of people riding bicycles.
- To maintain (verb) ā to keep a road, machine, building, etc. in good condition.
- Upside (noun) ā the advantage of a situation.
- Stable (adj.) ā firmly fixed or not likely to move or change.
- Stabilizers (noun) ā small wheels attached to each side of the back wheel of a bicycle to prevent it from falling over when a child is learning to ride it.
- Versatile (adj.) ā (of people) able to do many different things or to adjust to new conditions, or (of things) able to be used for many different purposes.
We have also added these words to a āQuizletā set for you to study and revise in your free time: bit.ly/quizlets04e03
Questions and Answers
Maria: Rory, how often do you ride a bike?
Rory: Probably not as much as when I was a child. To be honest, I think the closest I get these days is on a cycle machine at the gym. But thatās hardly everā¦
Maria: Did you learn to ride a bicycle when you were a child?
Rory: Yeah, my mom and dad taught me. It took ages, but it was worth it in the end. And you never forget how to do it either. Which is why I guess people have that expression ā itās like riding a bike.
Maria: Is it easy for you to ride a bicycle in your country?
Rory: Well, I think itās easier to ride a bike than in a lot of countries in the world. We have a lot of cycle lanes and people are encouraged to be healthier. Um, itās not as easy as it is in a small number of countries. Like, I think in maybe the Netherlands, they have a more bike-friendly culture.
Maria: Yeah, but in Amsterdam, there are very angry cyclists.
Rory: Why?
Maria: Aggressive cyclists, because there are a lot of tourists and they get in the way and the locals donāt like it. Have you ever been there?
Rory: I have, but I didnāt notice people being angry on bikes. I thought everyone was very relaxed š
Maria: Oh, good. What are the benefits of riding a bicycle for a child?
Rory: Um, well, I suppose they have a greater sense of freedom than if theyāre just walking around everywhere. They can just jump on their bike and go anywhere they want to. And they can do that with their friends. So itās good for encouraging their social relationships. And if I suppose if they were encouraged to maintain their bike, it makes them more responsible as well. So there are a lot of upsides to this, really.
Maria: Is it safe to ride bicycles on the roads?
Rory: Well, in Russia, probably notā¦ There are fewer cycle lanes and the driving is generally more aggressive. Probably, if we think about it more generally, it might not be safe to ride the bike regardless of the country if the weatherās bad, because you could be blown off your bike in high winds, for example. I think itās probably safer and quieter in more sheltered and more developed areas.
Maria: How popular are bicycles in your hometown?
Rory: Um, itās hard to say. I donāt think itās as popular as in some parts of Europe, for example. But we already talked about Amsterdam. Itās not as popular as it is there. Youāre more likely to see cars. But I think quite a few people still cycle. Itās not an unusual sight to see someone on the bike.
Maria: Do you think that bikes are suitable for all ages?
Rory: Um, I suppose as long as you can keep them stable. Yeah! Maybe if youāre very old or very young, you might need to reconsider it, because, of course, if youāre very young, then you donāt really know how they work so wellā¦ Although, you can have stabilizers on your bike. So itās not that bad. And if youāre older as well, you might struggle to keep things upright, but the vast majority of people should be fine.
Maria: What are the advantages of a bicycle compared to a car?
Rory: Uh, thatās a good question, actually! I am a little bit biased because I prefer cars to bikes, but no that I think about it. You donāt have to pay for petrol. So thereās like no petrol costs, and itās probably more versatile because you can go to more places. For example, cars usually almost always need roads, but with a bike you can go mountain biking, for example. You canāt really do that in a car. And itās healthier and quieter, I suppose. And thatās a good thing if you donāt like having a lot of people when youāre driving, for example.
Maria: Would you like to go travelling by bicycle?
Rory: If itās a short journey. I donāt see why not. But not if itās, like, going between countries, for example. I donāt like the idea. Iād prefer to to take the train. I like the train.
Maria: No, like for a month or something... Just riding your bike, travelling around the world.
Rory: Um, no, Iād prefer not to, but I can see why itās attractive for some people. But itās not my thing.
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