Alternative Forms of Transport

Pre-reading task

1. Why do you think these kinds of transport are known as alternative ones?

2. Can you think of some other types of alternative transport?

3. Make a list of those forms of transport you consider to be the most environmentally friendly and neither they pollute the air.

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One of the most popular forms of urban transport in Britain is used to be the tram.

They were first used in London in 1861, but they were all replaced by buses after 1945. Trams, however, are making a comeback. South Yorkshire has a 19-mile (30-kilometre) Supertram network which opened in 1994. Manchester, too, uses trams as part of its Metrolink system, while many other cities are considering alternatives to buses. The first section of the Manchester Metrolink opened in 1992. It has reduced car trips by an estimated 1 million a year. Manchester’s trams carry up to 250 people each. They are clean and quiet. They do not get stuck in traffic. There are no steps to get in, so they are easy to use if you are disabled, have a pram or are carrying lots of shopping.

The most environmentally friendly vehicle is a bicycle, but cycling in Britain can be dangerous as there are not many bicycle lanes in British cities. Many drivers do not realize that there are cyclists on the roads: cyclists, like, pedestrians, are almost as likely to be killed or injured as motorists. This is why an increasing number of cyclists wear helmets and fluorescent clothing.

Cycling can be unhealthy as well. Pollutants from cars, buses and lorries can affect your breathing. Therefore many cyclists in cities, where there is much traffic on the roads wear masks to protect themselves from the exhaust fumes.

5. Guess the words taken from the above text by their definitions. Fill in the

table with the corresponding to the definitions words. Compare your choice with your partner’s.

An alternative; to reduce; a network; to consider; to make a comeback; to be replaced; to use to; estimated; fluorescent clothing; a bicycle lane; a vehicle; a pram; a pedestrian; a motorist; to get in; exhaust fumes; to affect;

1.	a) any means in or by which people or objects are transported, esp. one fitted with wheels
2.	b) vividly colourful and bright clothes, shining in the dark to be seen from the distance
3.	c) a wheel-chair for people who are not able to walk
4.	d) a driver of a car, moped, motorcycle, scooter etc.
5.	e) a division of a road marked off with painted lines and intended to separate single lines of traffic according to speed or direction
6.	f) a person walking along a road or in a developed area
7.	g) to enter a car, train, etc. and travel to your destination
8	h) to think carefully about smth before making a decision
9.	i) to be substituted by smth other
10.	j) roughly and approximately calculated number of smth
11.	k) a substitute (another possibility, form)
12.	l) a complex system of railways, roads, or other routes
13.	m) to be habitual years ago
14.	n) to make smaller or less in amount, number, etc.
15.	o) a return to a former position
16.	p) to have an effect/influence on smth, smb
17.	q) waste gases or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or other machine in the course of its operation

5. Discuss:

• if cycling is encouraged in your home city;

• why cycling on the roads is not a healthy idea;

• if it is acceptable in your home city to ride a bike all the year round;

5. Read the text and mark the correct answers: