Cyclists on Public Roads - Sample
Some experts say for road safety cyclists should pass a test before being allowed on public roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
For years, cycling has been touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to other methods of transportation, driving a substantial increase in the number of cyclists on roads. This leads many to propose that cyclists should be subjected to more rigorous testing before being allowed on roads, for the sake of public safety. However, this essay will argue that such requirements would do more harm than good.
First and foremost, the current traffic laws and policies in most countries are by and large sufficient to prevent accidents. Cycling, by the inherent slower speed of bicycles, poses few additional dangers on public roads, if any. Instead, the problem lies in the inefficient design of traffic, such as through lane assignments and road signs. Many urban areas around the world have been primarily designed for cars and other motorized vehicles, and cycling infrastructure was added later on as an after-thought, leading to an increased risk of accidents. Therefore, it can be argued that the risks to public safety are mainly a matter of civil engineering, not an issue with cyclists themselves.
On the other hand, requiring tests or licenses to ride bicycles creates additional barriers to the detriment of society. As we transition away from petrol-based modes of transportation, cycling provides a necessary clean, sustainable, and accessible method to commute. Everybody can ride, from children to the elderly, and such mandatory testing necessitates that people invest more time and effort in order to travel by bicycles. This not only slows the adoption of bicycles as an alternative to cars, it also prevents people from harnessing the health benefits of riding bicycles, such as improved physical fitness or cardiovascular health. Thus, it is inadvisable to mandate tests before people can cycle on public streets.
In conclusion, the perceived decrease in public safety due to the proliferation of bicycles on roads can be attributed to shortcomings in traffic design, not to the act of cycling itself. Furthermore, there is a multitude of disadvantages to the creation of additional obstacles to riding bicycles. Hence, we should not require people to take and pass examinations in order to benefit from this more efficient form of transportation.
(360 words, band ~7.5)