Across India, summers can be extreme. Temperatures outdoors can soar to 124°F (51℃), high enough to melt the surface of the streets.
Millions of urban lower-income families live in tiny, one-room houses crammed（塞满的） together. Such shacks have tin and asbestos (石棉的) roofs. These materials absorb the sun's heat, rather than reflect it back into the atmosphere. Additionally, only a few trees grow between the jam-packed houses. Making matters worse is the residents' poverty. Most households cannot afford to run air conditioners and coolers. All these factors make the inside of these tiny houses extremely hot. Under such conditions, residents find it difficult to live, let alone work. Productivity declines.
Social workers and scientists have realized that the quickest way to cool such houses is to change their roofs. That's because the roof receives the most direct sunlight. Climate researchers came up with many strategies to produce cool roofs. One easy way was with paint. Light-colored surfaces reflect more heat than darker ones, so roofs painted white would be cooler than those painted in any other color. This wasn't a new idea. In fact, Indians have traditionally whitewashed homes with chuna. The annual Monsoon rains, though, wash the chuna away. Climate experts hoped that the white paints would last longer. Research findings revealed that painting alone could bring down the heat by up to 9℉(5℃).
Problems persist though. While the paint is fairly cheap, poor people cannot afford it without financial help. In addition, the sunlight bouncing off white-topped roofs makes them too bright to look at. Residents usually use the roofs for drying wet clothes and vegetables, like chilies. But the glare from the whitened surfaces makes it tough for them to do these tasks. A third problem is that white-roofed buildings reflect the sun's rays throughout the year. Ironically, this makes roofs too cool in regions where winters get extremely cold. And keeping warm is costly, too.
Despite these drawbacks, many households are supporters of cool roof initiatives. For most, the benefits of the roofs outweigh their flaws. Indeed, the white paint has given their lives a new light.
Brakes Make sure that they are in good working order and adjusted properly.
Helmet A necessity, make sure your helmet meets current safety standards and fit properly.
Lights Always have a front headlight—visible at least 500 feet in front of the bike. A taillight is a good idea.