B2 Reading Test – Urban Mobility: Bikes, Buses, and Beyond

Read the text below and answer the multiple-choice questions.

Cities are redesigning streets to move people—not just cars. Protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks invite short trips by foot or bicycle, which reduces congestion and noise. For longer distances, many planners promote Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): buses run in dedicated lanes, stop at platform-style stations, and use all-door boarding to cut dwell time. When designed well, BRT can deliver metro-like reliability at a fraction of the cost.

Micromobility—shared bikes and e-scooters—solves the “last-mile” problem by connecting homes or offices to bus and rail hubs. Yet it raises new issues: parking clutter, conflicts with pedestrians, and unequal access in neighborhoods with fewer docks. Pricing tools also matter. Congestion charges and flexible fares can shift some trips to off-peak hours, while discounted passes keep public transport affordable for low-income riders.

Data helps cities adjust in real time. GPS feeds reveal bottlenecks; tap-in records show overcrowded corridors; surveys capture why people avoid certain routes. Still, technology isn’t a cure-all. Safety enforcement, maintenance budgets, and clear rules for street space determine whether options truly work together. The lesson is integration: a city moves best when walking, cycling, buses, and trains are planned as one system, supported by fair pricing and thoughtful street design.