U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled plans for a “cycling and walking revolution” that, if fully realized, could recalibrate the way people move around towns and cities.

The move comes as authorities attempt to boost public health by capitalizing on people’s renewed interest in traveling by bike and on foot during the coronavirus pandemic.

The plans, which are specifically related to England, are to be funded by US$2.6 billion.

Wide-ranging in their scope, they include initiatives such as: providing cycling training to children and adults if they want it; developing an extensive network of protected bike routes; and creating “low-traffic neighborhoods.”

In addition, the U.K. government will pilot a project in some areas of “poor health rates” to encourage doctors to prescribe cycling to patients through a bike lending scheme.

The government released 50,000 vouchers worth US$65 to enable cyclists in England to repair their bikes and get them back on the road.

In a statement issued July 28, Johnson described cycling and walking as having “a huge role to play in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face.”

Xavier Brice, the CEO of Sustrans, a charity focused on cycling and walking, said the new plans marked “a big step forward” by the government.

“By helping more people to leave the car at home for shorter journeys, this package of measures will cut pollution, tackle the causes of poor health, and improve the safety of our streets,” he added.

The coronavirus pandemic has already had a significant impact on the way people move about towns and cities. Public transport use in the U.K. has fallen dramatically, while some parts of the country have changed their layout to make it easier for people to get around by bike or by walking.

In the U.K. capital, for example, the “Streetspace for London” program has seen sidewalks widened and temporary bike lanes installed.

Johnson’s announcement follows on from the government releasing details of a new obesity strategy July 27. This includes plans to ban online and television ads for “unhealthy” food before 9 p.m. and the scrapping of buy one get one free offers for foods with high sugar and fat content.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【再校准】zài jiàozhǔn recalibrate adjust something again

【取消】qǔxiāo scrap abandon or get rid of

英国首相鲍里斯▪约翰逊日前公布了 “骑车与步行革命”计划，如果完全实现，将会重塑人们在城镇的出行方式。

当局试图利用新冠疫情期间人们对骑车和步行重新燃起兴趣的契机来增进公众健康。

该计划将耗资26亿美元，只在英格兰范围内进行。

这项内容广泛的计划包括：向有需要的儿童和成人提供骑车培训；发展完善受保护的自行车道网络；打造“低车流量的社区”。

另外，英国政府将在“健康率低”的一些地区试点一个项目，鼓励医生通过自行车租赁计划给患者开出骑车处方。

政府已经发放了5万张价值65美元的代金券，供英格兰的骑行者修理自行车，让旧车回到路上。

在7月28日发布的一份声明中，约翰逊将骑车和步行描述为“在应对我们面临的一些重大的健康和环境挑战过程中扮演重要角色”。

专注于骑车和步行的慈善机构Sustrans的首席执行官泽维尔▪布莱斯说，新计划标志着政府“向前迈出的一大步”。

他补充道：“通过帮助更多人用不开车的方式来短途出行，这一揽子措施将会降低污染、从根源解决健康不良的问题，并改善道路安全。”

新冠疫情已经对人们在城镇的出行方式产生了重大影响。英国公共交通的使用率大幅下降，部分地区已经改变了道路布局，方便人们骑车或走路出行。

以英国首都为例，“伦敦街道空间”项目已经加宽了人行道，还设置了临时自行车道。

在约翰逊宣布这一计划前，政府在7月27日公布了一项控制肥胖新战略的细节。其中包括禁止晚上9点前在网络和电视播放“不健康”食品的广告，以及叫停高糖高脂食品买一送一的促销活动。

(chinadaily.com.cn)