Breaking News English Lesson: Cyclists

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Cyclists on mobile phones in Japan could face jail (4th November 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Cyclists - Level 6

A revision to a traffic law aimed at amending the behaviour of cyclists came into effect in Japan on Friday. The revised Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be under the influence of alcohol while cycling. Those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum six-month prison sentence or a fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The penalties are harsher for those under the influence. Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants that serve alcohol to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle afterwards may also be punished.

Japan's National Police Agency reported a sharp rise in the number of traffic accidents caused by cyclists using phones. There was a 50 per cent increase in the five-year period to 2023. The BBC reports that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year. This accounted for over 20 per cent of all traffic accidents. Most collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were watching videos or playing games. One reason for the rise in cycling-related accidents is a greater number of people using bicycles instead of public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising public awareness of the revised traffic rules could be a challenge.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Cyclists - Level 4 or Cyclists - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqd2e1j132o
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241101/p2g/00m/0na/004000c
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20241102-220103/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CYCLING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cycling. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
traffic law / cyclists / mobile phones / under the influence / prison / alcohol / be fined
traffic accidents / people under 20 / videos / playing games / public transport / rules
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MORE CYCLING: Students A strongly believe we should all cycle and ditch the car; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CYCLING DOS AND DON'TS: What are the dos and don'ts of cycling? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	DOS	DON'TS
Helmet
Smartphone
Alcohol
Riding two abreast
Lights
Red lights / stop signs

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. BICYCLE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "bicycle". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BENEFITS OF CYCLING: Rank these with your partner. Put the most beneficial at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Cardiovascular health
Help the environment
Cheap
Make friends
Reduces stress
See the countryside
Weight control
Fun

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	revision	a.	Fixing or making small changes to something.
2.	amending	b.	Not able to focus because something else is taking your attention.
3.	came into effect	c.	To be affected by alcohol or drugs.
4.	be under the influence	d.	Started to work or become real.
5.	distracted	e.	Changing something to make it better or more correct.
6.	intoxicated	f.	Given a consequence or penalty for doing something wrong.
7.	punished	g.	Having drunk too much alcohol or used drugs.

Paragraph 2

8.	sharp	h.	People or groups that make rules or keep things in order, like the police.
9.	accounted for	i.	Very clear, strong, or sudden.
10.	collisions	j.	A time when a disease spreads to many countries or the whole world.
11.	upswing	k.	Knowing about or noticing something.
12.	pandemic	l.	Crashes or hits between moving things, like cars.
13.	authorities	m.	An increase or improvement in something.
14.	awareness	n.	Supplied or made up a specified amount or proportion.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

New traffic laws for cyclists in Japan have started. T / F
Cyclists who ride and look at a mobile phone could go to jail for a year. T / F
Cyclists who have drunk alcohol could be imprisoned for three years. T / F
Restaurants that serve cyclists alcohol could be punished. T / F
Accidents caused by phone-watching cyclists doubled in five years. T / F
Cyclists are responsible for a fifth of all Japan's traffic accidents. T / F
Most cyclists in Japan who have traffic accidents are over 60. T / F
Authorities have had great success in raising public awareness. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

revision
came into effect
influence
intoxicated
punished
sharp
accounted for
collisions
authorities
challenge

made up
penalized
crashes
started
officials
drunk
difficult task
change
steep
effect

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

aimed at amending the
The revised Road Traffic Act
be under the influence
intoxicated
restaurants that serve
a sharp
This accounted
the rise in cycling-
using bicycles instead of
raising public

awareness
alcohol to customers
related accidents
rise in the number
makes it illegal
public transport
cyclists
behaviour of cyclists
for over 20 per cent
of alcohol

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

jail
revised
punished
serve
aimed
harsher
distracted
Intoxicated

A revision to a traffic law (1) _________________________________ at amending the behaviour of cyclists came into effect in Japan on Friday. The (2) _________________________________ Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be under the influence of alcohol while cycling. Those (3) _________________________________ by phones could be punished with a maximum six-month prison sentence or a fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The penalties are (4) _________________________________ for those under the influence. (5) _________________________________ cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath could get up to three years in (6) _________________________________ or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants that (7) _________________________________ alcohol to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle afterwards may also be (8) _________________________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

collisions
period
sharp
accounted
transport
rise
awareness
reports

Japan's National Police Agency reported a (9) _________________________________ rise in the number of traffic accidents caused by cyclists using phones. There was a 50 per cent increase in the five-year (10) _________________________________ to 2023. The BBC (11) _________________________________ that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year. This (12) _________________________________ for over 20 per cent of all traffic accidents. Most (13) _________________________________ were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were watching videos or playing games. One reason for the (14) _________________________________ in cycling-related accidents is a greater number of people using bicycles instead of public (15) _________________________________ because of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising public (16) _________________________________ of the revised traffic rules could be a challenge.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A revision to a traffic law aimed at amending the behaviour of cyclists ______
     a. came into affect
     b. came into deflect
     c. came into effect
     d. came into reflect
2) The revised Road Traffic Act ______
     a. make it illegal
     b. makes it illegals
     c. makes it illegal
     d. makes it's illegal
3) distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum six-______
     a. month prison sentence
     b. month prison paragraph
     c. month prison thesis
     d. month prison statement
4) The penalties are harsher for those ______
     a. under an influence
     b. under that influence
     c. under the influence
     d. under their influence
5) Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per ______
     a. litre of breathe
     b. litre of breath
     c. litre of breathlessness
     d. litre of breathy

6) Japan's National Police Agency reported a sharp rise in the number ______
     a. off traffic accidents
     b. oft traffic accidents
     c. over traffic accidents
     d. of traffic accidents
7) The BBC reports that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were ______
     a. record it in Japan
     b. record did in Japan
     c. recorded in Japan
     d. recording Japan
8) One reason for the rise in ______
     a. cycling-relative accidents
     b. cycling-related accidents
     c. cycling-relate it accidents
     d. cycling-relation accidents
9) a greater number of people using bicycles instead ______
     a. of publics transport
     b. of pub lick transport
     c. of pub brick transport
     d. of public transport
10) Authorities say raising public awareness of the revised traffic rules could ______
     a. be a challenged
     b. be a challenge
     c. be a challenges
     d. be a challenger

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A revision to a traffic law (1) _______________________________________________ the behaviour of cyclists came into effect in Japan on Friday. The revised Road Traffic Act (2) _______________________________________________ to use mobile phones or to be under the (3) _______________________________________________ while cycling. Those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum six-month prison sentence or a fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The (4) _______________________________________________ for those under the influence. Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants (5) _______________________________________________ to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle afterwards may (6) _______________________________________________.

Japan's National Police Agency reported a (7) _______________________________________________ the number of traffic accidents (8) _______________________________________________ using phones. There was a 50 per cent increase in the five-year period to 2023. The BBC reports that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year. This (9) _______________________________________________ 20 per cent of all traffic accidents. Most collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were (10) _______________________________________________ playing games. One reason for the rise in cycling-related accidents is a greater number of people using bicycles instead (11) _______________________________________________ because of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising public awareness of the (12) _______________________________________________ could be a challenge.

Comprehension questions

What was the law introduced to amend?
What is the maximum fine for using a mobile phone while cycling?
How much alcohol in a cyclist's breath get them in trouble?
What is the maximum fine for cycling under the influence?
Who could be punished for serving drinks to cyclists?
Who said there was a rise in accidents caused by cyclists using phones?
How many bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year?
What age group is most responsible for accidents involving bikes?
What is one reason for more people in Japan cycling?
What did authorities say about raising public awareness of the rules?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What was the law introduced to amend?
a) motorists' awareness
b) road traffic rules
c) police response times
d) the behaviour of cyclists
2) What is the maximum fine for using a mobile phone while cycling?
a) 80,000 yen
b) 100,000 yen
c) 120,000 yen
d) 200,000 yen
3) How much alcohol in a cyclist's breath get them in trouble?
a) 0.18 milligrams per litre of breath
b) 1.15 milligrams per litre of breath
c) 1.5 milligrams per litre of breath
d) 0.15 milligrams per litre of breath
4) What is the maximum fine for cycling under the influence?
a) 300,000 yen
b) 400,000 yen
c) 500,000 yen
d) 600,000 yen
5) Who could be punished for serving drinks to cyclists?
a) other cyclists
b) café owners
c) pedestrians
d) restaurants

6) Who said there was a rise in accidents caused by cyclists using phones?
a) journalists
b) a cycling organization
c) Japan's National Police Agency
d) a road safety organization
7) How many bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year?
a) over 72,000
b) exactly 72,000
c) just fewer than 72,000
d) about 72,000
8) What age group is most responsible for accidents involving bikes?
a) the under-30s
b) the over-40s
c) the under-20s
d) the over-60s
9) What is one reason for more people in Japan cycling?
a) a fitness craze
b) the coronavirus pandemic
c) the subways are too crowded
d) depopulation
10) What did authorities say about raising public awareness of the rules?
a) It could be a challenge.
b) It was necessary.
c) It would save lives.
d) It was unnecessary.

Role play

Role A – Cardiovascular Health
You think cardiovascular health is the best reason to cycle. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): helping the environment, weight control or stress reduction.

Role B – Helps the Environment
You think helping the environment is the best reason to cycle. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cardiovascular health, weight control or stress reduction.

Role C – Weight Control
You think weight control is the best reason to cycle. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): helping the environment, cardiovascular health or stress reduction.

Role D – Stress Reduction
You think stress reduction is the best reason to cycle. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): helping the environment, weight control or cardiovascular health.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'bicyles'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'smartphones'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

amending

revised

punished

six

0.15

afterwards

sharp

increase

reports

collisions

greater

public

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Cyclists

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'cyclist'?
What do you think of cycling?
What laws should there be for cyclists?
What do you think of using phones while cycling?
What do you think of going to prison for using phones while cycling?
What are the dangers of using phones while cycling?
Is being under the influence while cycling the same as drunk driving?
How important are bicycles to you?
Should restaurants be fined for serving alcohol to cyclists?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'mobile home'?
What do you think about what you read?
How safe are roads for cyclists in your country?
Should there be more cycle lanes on your country's roads?
How can roads be made safer for cyclists?
What are the benefits of cycling?
Should we all be encouraged to use bicycles instead of cars?
How can countries raise awareness of road safety for cyclists?
What questions would you like to ask road safety experts?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

A revision to a traffic law aimed (1) ____ amending the behaviour of cyclists came into effect in Japan on Friday. The revised Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be under (2) ____ influence of alcohol while cycling. Those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum six-month prison sentence or a fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The penalties are (3) ____ for those under the influence. Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of (4) ____ could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants that (5) ____ alcohol to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle (6) ____ may also be punished.

Japan's National Police Agency reported a sharp (7) ____ in the number of traffic accidents caused by cyclists using phones. There was a 50 per cent increase (8) ____ the five-year period to 2023. The BBC reports that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year. This accounted (9) ____ over 20 per cent of all traffic accidents. Most collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were watching videos or playing games. (10) ____ reason for the rise in cycling-(11) ____ accidents is a greater number of people using bicycles instead of public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising (12) ____ awareness of the revised traffic rules could be a challenge.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) of (b) by (c) at (d) on
(a) the (b) a (c) an (d) at
(a) harsher (b) mushier (c) pushier (d) cashier
(a) breath (b) breathe (c) breathy (d) breathing
(a) reserve (b) serve (c) service (d) servile
(a) upwards (b) backwards (c) forwards (d) afterwards
(a) raise (b) arise (c) rise (d) riser
(a) of (b) at (c) on (d) in
(a) for (b) at (c) of (d) by
(a) One (b) Only (c) Once (d) Ones
(a) relative (b) related (c) relation (d) relating
(a) publicly (b) publicity (c) public (d) publican

Spelling

Paragraph 1

A eirivnos to a traffic law
aimed at mdinaneg the behaviour
under the nlneucife of alcohol
sdettdcira by phones
iecodxtitna cyclists
0.15 ialglmisrm of alcohol

Paragraph 2

airfftc accidents
This duaocntce for over 20 per cent
Most snisoilcol were caused by people
public rstroanpt
the coronavirus ainpcedm
tahurioiets say raising public awareness

Put the text back together

(...) six-month prison sentence or a fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The penalties are
(...) effect in Japan on Friday. The revised Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be under the
(...) by cyclists using phones. There was a 50 per cent increase in the five-year period to 2023. The BBC reports that
(...) accidents. Most collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were watching videos
(...) harsher for those under the influence. Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of
(...) over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan last year. This accounted for over 20 per cent of all traffic
(...) serve alcohol to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle afterwards may also be punished.
(...) or playing games. One reason for the rise in cycling-related accidents is a greater
(...) breath could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants that
( 1 ) A revision to a traffic law aimed at amending the behaviour of cyclists came into
(...) influence of alcohol while cycling. Those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum
(...) number of people using bicycles instead of public transport because of the
(...) coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising public awareness of the revised traffic rules could be a challenge.
(...) Japan's National Police Agency reported a sharp rise in the number of traffic accidents caused

Put the words in the right order

the A aimed amending behaviour . traffic law at
the influence under Be of while cycling . alcohol
Those phones mobile be distracted could punished . by
more of Intoxicated cyclists 0.15 mg than with alcohol .
they the a In will ride bicycle . knowledge
of rises traffic the Sharp number in accidents .
were collisions people caused by Most 20 . under
in One the accidents . rise reason cycling-related for
bicycles . greater of using A people number
could be traffic revised a rules The challenge .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A revision / derision to a traffic law aimed at demanding / amending the behaviour of cyclists came into / onto effect in Japan on Friday. The revised Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be over / under the influence of alcohol while cycling. Those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum six-month prison sentence or a fund / fine of 100,000 yen ($654). The penalties are harsher for those / them under the influence. Intoxicated cyclists with more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath / breathe could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500,000 yen ($3,270). Furthermore, restaurants that serve / service alcohol to customers on / in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle forwards / afterwards may also be punished.

Japan's National Police Agency reported a sharp raise / rise in the number of traffic accidents caused by cyclists using / usage phones. There was a 50 per cent increase in the five-year periods / period to 2023. The BBC reports that over 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan past / last year. This accounted / accounting for over 20 per cent of all traffic accidents / jams. Most collides / collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age. Many of these cyclists were watching videos or playing games. One reason for the rise in cycling-related accidents is a greater numeral / number of people using bicycles instead of public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities say raising / rising public awareness of the revised traffic rules could be / being a challenge.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

_ r_v_s__n t_ _ tr_ff_c l_w __m_d _t _m_nd_ng th_ b_h_v___r _f cycl_sts c_m_ _nt_ _ff_ct _n J_p_n _n Fr_d_y. Th_ r_v_s_d R__d Tr_ff_c _ct m_k_s _t _ll_g_l t_ _s_ m_b_l_ ph_n_s _r t_ b_ _nd_r th_ _nfl__nc_ _f _lc_h_l wh_l_ cycl_ng. Th_s_ d_str_ct_d by ph_n_s c__ld b_ p_n_sh_d w_th _ m_x_m_m s_x-m_nth pr_s_n s_nt_nc_ _r _ f_n_ _f 100,000 y_n ($654). Th_ p_n_lt__s _r_ h_rsh_r f_r th_s_ _nd_r th_ _nfl__nc_. _nt_x_c_t_d cycl_sts w_th m_r_ th_n 0.15 m_ll_gr_ms _f _lc_h_l p_r l_tr_ _f br__th c__ld g_t _p t_ thr__ y__rs _n j__l _r b_ f_n_d 500,000 y_n ($3,270). F_rth_rm_r_, r_st__r_nts th_t s_rv_ _lc_h_l t_ c_st_m_rs _n th_ kn_wl_dg_ th_t th_y w_ll r_d_ _ b_cycl_ _ft_rw_rds m_y _ls_ b_ p_n_sh_d.

J_p_n's N_t__n_l P_l_c_ _g_ncy r_p_rt_d _ sh_rp r_s_ _n th_ n_mb_r _f tr_ff_c _cc_d_nts c__s_d by cycl_sts _s_ng ph_n_s. Th_r_ w_s _ 50 p_r c_nt _ncr__s_ _n th_ f_v_-y__r p_r__d t_ 2023. Th_ BBC r_p_rts th_t _v_r 72,000 b_cycl_ _cc_d_nts w_r_ r_c_rd_d _n J_p_n l_st y__r. Th_s _cc__nt_d f_r _v_r 20 p_r c_nt _f _ll tr_ff_c _cc_d_nts. M_st c_ll_s__ns w_r_ c__s_d by p__pl_ _nd_r 20 y__rs _f _g_. M_ny _f th_s_ cycl_sts w_r_ w_tch_ng v_d__s _r pl_y_ng g_m_s. _n_ r__s_n f_r th_ r_s_ _n cycl_ng-r_l_t_d _cc_d_nts _s _ gr__t_r n_mb_r _f p__pl_ _s_ng b_cycl_s _nst__d _f p_bl_c tr_nsp_rt b_c__s_ _f th_ c_r_n_v_r_s p_nd_m_c. __th_r_t__s s_y r__s_ng p_bl_c _w_r_n_ss _f th_ r_v_s_d tr_ff_c r_l_s c__ld b_ _ ch_ll_ng_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a revision to a traffic law aimed at amending the behaviour of cyclists came into effect in japan on friday the revised road traffic act makes it illegal to use mobile phones or to be under the influence of alcohol while cycling those distracted by phones could be punished with a maximum sixmonth prison sentence or a fine of 100000 yen 654 the penalties are harsher for those under the influence intoxicated cyclists with more than 015 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath could get up to three years in jail or be fined 500000 yen 3270 furthermore restaurants that serve alcohol to customers in the knowledge that they will ride a bicycle afterwards may also be punished

japans national police agency reported a sharp rise in the number of traffic accidents caused by cyclists using phones there was a 50 per cent increase in the fiveyear period to 2023 the bbc reports that over 72000 bicycle accidents were recorded in japan last year this accounted for over 20 per cent of all traffic accidents most collisions were caused by people under 20 years of age many of these cyclists were watching videos or playing games one reason for the rise in cyclingrelated accidents is a greater number of people using bicycles instead of public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic authorities say raising public awareness of the revised traffic rules could be a challenge

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Arevisiontoatrafficlawaimedatamendingthebehaviourofcyclistscam
eintoeffectinJapanonFriday.TherevisedRoadTrafficActmakesitillega
ltousemobilephonesortobeundertheinfluenceofalcoholwhilecycling.
Thosedistractedbyphonescouldbepunishedwithamaximumsix-mont
hprisonsentenceorafineof100,000yen($654).Thepenaltiesareharsh
erforthoseundertheinfluence.Intoxicatedcyclistswithmorethan0.15
milligramsofalcoholperlitreofbreathcouldgetuptothreeyearsinjailor
befined500,000yen($3,270).Furthermore,restaurantsthatservealc
oholtocustomersintheknowledgethattheywillrideabicycleafterwards
mayalsobepunished.Japan'sNationalPoliceAgencyreportedasharpri
seinthenumberoftrafficaccidentscausedbycyclistsusingphones.Ther
ewasa50percentincreaseinthefive-yearperiodto2023.TheBBCrepo
rtsthatover72,000bicycleaccidentswererecordedinJapanlastyear.T
hisaccountedforover20percentofalltrafficaccidents.Mostcollisionsw
erecausedbypeopleunder20yearsofage.Manyofthesecyclistswerew
atchingvideosorplayinggames.Onereasonfortheriseincycling-relat
edaccidentsisagreaternumberofpeopleusingbicyclesinsteadofpublic
transportbecauseofthecoronaviruspandemic.Authoritiessayraising
publicawarenessoftherevisedtrafficrulescouldbeachallenge.

Free writing

Write about road traffic laws for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

People should be encouraged to cycle instead of drive. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. CYCLING: Make a poster about cycling. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. PENALTIES: Write a magazine article about increasing penalties fo cyclists who violate traffic laws. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on cycling. Ask him/her three questions about cycling. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Cyclists

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