These twin pressures helped to persuade the Dutch government to invest in improving cycling infrastructure (基础设施) and the Dutch urban planners started to change from the road­building policies designed mainly for cars.

　　To make cycling safer and more inviting, the Dutch have built a vast network of cycle paths. These are clearly marked, have smooth surfaces, separate signs and lights for those on two wheels, and are wide enough to allow cycling side by side and overtaking.

　　Even before they can walk, Dutch children live in a world of cycling. As babies they travel in special seats on bikes. As the children grow up they ride their own bikes. And, as the Dutch are not allowed to drive until 18, cycling offers teenagers an alternative form of freedom.

　　The state also plays a part in teaching, with cycling lessons a compulsory (必修的) part in Dutch schools. All schools have places to park bikes and at some schools 90% of pupils cycle to class.

　　语篇解读：在荷兰，自行车的数量超过了本国人口的数量。为什么自行车在荷兰会这么流行呢？本文给出了原因。

　　1．What does Anna Holligan intend to find out?

　　A．Why cycling is popular in the Netherlands.

　　B．How journeys are made in the Netherlands.

　　C．What makes the children like cycling in the Netherlands.

　　D．The main means of transport in the Netherlands.

　　解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第一段第二句可知，Anna Holligan的主要目标是找到自行车在荷兰如此受欢迎的原因。

　　2．Bikes were used by the smallest number of people in the Netherlands ________.

　　A．before World War Ⅱ　　　　 B．in the 1960s

　　C．in the 1970s D．in the 1980s

　　解析：选B　推理判断题。综合分析第二至第四段可知，二战前荷兰人的交通工具以自行车为主，二十世纪五六十年代，小汽车数量的激增导致骑自行车出行的人数骤减，但随之发生的大量车祸和石油危机使人们又开始选择骑自行车，故选B项。

　　3．Stop de Kindermoord is aimed at ________.

　　A．advising people to drive carefully

　　B．advising children to cycle carefully

　　C．improving driving conditions for drivers

　　D．improving cycling conditions for children

解析：选D　细节理解题。根据第三段第三句可知，"Stop de Kindermoord"这一运动要求儿童骑自行车的环境更加安全，故D项正确。