This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay related to cyclists and cars sharing the road and the related problems/solutions from the real past IELTS exam.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Cyclists and Cars Problems/Solutions

When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems.

Why is this the case?

What are the solutions?

Real Past IELTS Exam

Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.

When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.

The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.

Analysis

1. Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. 2. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.

1. Paraphrase the overall topic.
2. Write a clear opinion.

1. When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. 2. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. 3. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. 4. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. 5. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.

1. Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
2. Begin to develop your main idea.
3. Continue to develop it with specific ideas.
4. Use linking words to make your writing clearer.
5. State the final result to conclude the paragraph.

1. The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. 2. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. 3. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. 4. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. 5. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

1. Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end.
2. Start with an example to vary your paragraph structure.
3. Develop the example.
4. Keep developing the same example.
5. Generalise from your example and make sure you have a second solution.

1. In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. 2. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.

1. Repeat your opinion and summarise your arguments.
2. Add a final thought/detail.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.

When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.

The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.

Answers

issues arise problems happen

cyclists people who ride bikes

motorists occupy people driving cars share

fault their mistake

former first mentioned subject

relate have to do with

better urban planning the mapping out of a city

come into conflict disagree

warped sense of priority delusional and feel they should be in front

general rule of thumb normally

the right of way should go first when driving/walking

possess have

option choice

yielding allowing others to go

otherwise if not

allow the car to pass by first let the car go in front

congested busy

maneuverability ability to move

safety not as dangerous

breaking ability how a bike/car stops

at odds in disagreement

wary worried about

extreme situations worst case scenario

collisions may result accidents might happen

ease mitigate

adapt change

urban planners people who plan cities

bike lanes spaces on the roads for bikes

altered roadways changing streets

mitigate potential conflicts lessen possible disagreements

over time in the future

clearer rules of engagement easier to understand how to proceed

better urban planning planning out cities better

road rage getting angry when driving

key very important

develop innovative solutions have new remedies

roundabouts rotaries

traffic lights intersections with lights

seamless flow driving easily

minus taking away

veiled aggression barely hidden anger

typically defines usually is

in opposition fighting

overestimated thinking better than it really is

mode of travel way of traveling (bike, on foot, car, etc.)

remedied fixed

implementing putting into action

advisable should be done

environmental boon good for the Earth

Pronunciation

Listen and repeat:

ˈɪʃuːz əˈraɪz 
ˈsaɪklɪsts 
ˈməʊtərɪsts ˈɒkjʊpaɪ 
fɔːlt 
ˈfɔːmə 
rɪˈleɪt 
ˈbɛtər ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ
kʌm ˈɪntuː ˈkɒnflɪkt 
wɔːpt sɛns ɒv praɪˈɒrɪti
ˈʤɛnərəl ruːl ɒv θʌm
ðə raɪt ɒv weɪ
pəˈzɛs 
ˈɒpʃən 
ˈjiːldɪŋ 
ˈʌðəwaɪz
əˈlaʊ ðə kɑː tuː pɑːs baɪ fɜːst 
kənˈʤɛstɪd
məˌnuːvərəˈbɪlɪti
ˈseɪfti
ˈbreɪkɪŋ əˈbɪlɪti 
æt ɒdz 
ˈweəri 
ɪksˈtriːm ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz
kəˈlɪʒənz meɪ rɪˈzʌlt
iːz 
əˈdæpt 
ˈɜːbən ˈplænəz 
baɪk leɪnz 
ˈɔːltəd ˈrəʊdweɪz 
ˈmɪtɪgeɪt pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈkɒnflɪkts
ˈəʊvə taɪm
ˈklɪərə ruːlz ɒv ɪnˈgeɪʤmənt 
ˈbɛtər ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ
rəʊd reɪʤ 
kiː 
dɪˈvɛləp ɪnˈnɒvətɪv səˈluːʃənz 
ˈraʊndəbaʊts
ˈtræfɪk laɪts
ˈsiːmlɪs fləʊ 
ˈmaɪnəs 
veɪld əˈgrɛʃ(ə)n 
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li dɪˈfaɪnz 
ɪn ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən 
ˌəʊvəˈrɛstɪmeɪtɪd 
məʊd ɒv ˈtrævl 
ˈrɛmɪdid 
ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪŋ 
ədˈvaɪzəbl 
ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl buːn

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Many i_______________e when c____________s and m____________________y the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the f_________t of the f____________r and the solutions all r_____________e to b_______________________g.

When cyclists and motorists c_________________________t on roads it is often because the cyclist has a w__________________________y. The g___________________________b is that when cars have t______________________y, they p________________s the o_______________n of y_______________g to cyclists. O___________________e, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must a____________________________t so that roads do not become c________________d. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the m________________________y, s____________y, or b_______________________y of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often a___________s and w________y of each other or, in e_____________________s, c_____________________t.

The solutions to e________e these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to a___________t to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. U____________________s have created b______________s and a_____________________s to m_____________________________s. O____________e, with c_________________________t and b________________________g, instances of r_______________________e and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is k____y for planners to d_______________________________s for r_______________s, t_____________________s, and bridges that allow for a s____________________w of traffic m__________s the v___________________________n that t_____________________s the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are i____________________n because cyclists have o___________________d their m____________________l and these issues can be r_________________d through better urban planning. I_____________________g these solutions is a___________________e since biking is such an e____________________________n.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Listen about Amsterdam below:

Speaking Practice

Answer the following related questions from the real exam:

Travelling

Do you like travelling?

What is the most beautiful country you have visited?

Would you like to have a job that demands travelling to other countries?

What problems can occur when travelling?

Real Past IELTS Exam

Writing Practice

Write about the following related topic and then check with my sample answer:

The roads in major cities today are often difficult to travel on.

What are the causes of this?

What are some possible solutions?

Real Past IELTS Exam

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Roads in Major Cities (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)