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Homework Help: Social Studies: World Issues: Cycling Safety
by Michelle Zisman
Concession To Cyclists
Have you ever ridden a bike? Wasn't it precious, the wind blowing through your hair, your muscles aching of pedaling, your heart beating really fast?
And knowing that moreover, it has been proven that just like any other aerobic activity, cycling lowers blood pressure, strengthens and physically challenges the body, widens the airways, and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle.
But even with all those advantages under consideration, however, cyclists are indeed very discouraged by society, mainly over the safety issue.
There is a substantial need for dedicated roads and rules justifying cyclists’ rights. More and more people die and injure themselves because cyclists’ needs are ignored, especially here in Israel.
If the local authorities would construct bicycle routes -- not only in parks, but also as lanes in the street and highways -- a dramatic reduction in the number of accidents will be made.
In 1998 in Great Britain alone, cycling accidents made up 5% of all deaths and 31% of all injuries.
3,438,450 people have been involved in cycling accidents in the past 10 years in Europe alone. 58% of which were children under 18 years of age.
There is an interminable amount of data and statistics to show how badly cyclists are treated and how often their desires are unnoticed.
But as difficult as it may seem, reducing and avoiding these accidents is not at all impossible, since local authorities spend millions every year expanding and improving infrastructures in their county limits as it is.
Doing that could, and will, decrease the number of accidents and therefore encourage more cycling. Residents will be more willing to pay the state taxes knowing they are used for their benefit; knowing that the system encourages them to maintain healthy lifestyles, and care for the safety of their children.
Homework Help: Social Studies: World Issues
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