2020年12月四级第3套仔细阅读 Passage 1 原文翻译及答案解析

A growing number of U. S. bike riders are attracted to electric bikes for convenience, health benefits and their fun factor. Although ebikes first appeared in the 90s, cheaper options and longer-lasting batteries are breathing new life into the concept.

越来越多的美国自行车骑手被电动自行车所吸引，因为它们便捷、有益健康且充满乐趣。尽管电动自行车首次出现在90年代，但更便宜的选择和更持久的电池正为这一概念注入新的活力。

Established bike companies and startups are embracing ebikes to meet demand. About 34 million ebikes were sold worldwide last year, according to data from eCycleElectric Consultants. Most were sold in Europe and China, where the bikes already have exploded in popularity. Recently, the U. S. market has grown to 263,000 bikes, a 25% gain from the prior year.

成熟的自行车公司和初创企业正在拥抱电动自行车以满足需求。根据eCycleElectric咨询公司的数据，去年全球售出了约3400万辆电动自行车。大多数在欧洲和中国售出，那里的电动自行车已经大受欢迎。最近，美国市场已增长到26.3万辆，比前一年增长了25%。

The industry is benefiting from improved batteries as suppliers over the years developed technology for laptops, smartphones and electric cars. In 2004, the price of batteries used on ebikes fell, spurring European sales.

该行业正受益于电池的改进，因为供应商多年来为笔记本电脑、智能手机和电动汽车开发了技术。2004年，用于电动自行车的电池价格下降，刺激了欧洲的销售。

But lower cost options are emerging, too. This month, three U. S. bike-share companies, Motivate, LimeBike and Spin, announced electric bicycles will be added to their fleets. New York-based Jump Bikes is already operating an electric bikeshare in Washington, D. C., and is launching in San Francisco Thursday. Rides cost $ 2 for 30 minutes.

但更低成本的选择也在涌现。本月，三家美国共享单车公司——Motivate、LimeBike和Spin宣布将在其车队中增加电动自行车。总部位于纽约的Jump Bikes已经在华盛顿特区运营电动共享单车，并将于周四在旧金山推出。骑行费用为30分钟2美元。

The system works like existing dockless bike-share systems, where riders unlock bikes through a smartphone app. "This is the beginning of a long-term shift away from regular pedal (踏板) to electric bikes," said Jump Bikes CEO Ryan Rzepecki. "When people first jump on an ebike, their face lights up. It's exciting and joyful in a way that you don't get from a regular bike. "

该系统的工作方式类似于现有的无桩共享单车系统，骑手通过智能手机应用程序解锁自行车。"这是从传统踏板自行车向电动自行车长期转变的开始，"Jump Bikes的首席执行官Ryan Rzepecki说。"当人们第一次骑上电动自行车时，他们的脸会亮起来。这是一种令人兴奋和愉悦的体验，是普通自行车无法提供的。"

Two years ago, CEO Chris Cocalis of Pivot Cycles, which sells high-end mountain bikes, found that U. S. bike shops weren't interested in stocking ebikes. Some retailers warned Cocalis that they'd drop the brand if it came out with an electric bike.

两年前，销售高端山地自行车的Pivot Cycles的首席执行官Chris Cocalis发现，美国自行车店对储备电动自行车不感兴趣。一些零售商警告Cocalis，如果他推出电动自行车，他们将放弃该品牌。

Now that sales are taking off, the vast majority of bike dealers are asking Cocalis when he'll make an ebike available. "There's a tremendous opportunity to get a generation of people for whom suffering isn't their thing," Cocalis said. "Ebike riders get the enjoyable part of cycling without the massive suffering of climbing huge hills. "

现在销售正在起飞，绝大多数自行车经销商都在问Cocalis何时会推出电动自行车。"这是一个巨大的机会，可以吸引一代不愿忍受艰苦的人，"Cocalis说。"电动自行车骑手享受骑行的乐趣，而无需承受爬大坡的巨大痛苦。"