雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first true bicycle, called the 'draisine', was invented in 1817 by a German baron. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. In the 1860s, French inventors added pedals to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, it was very uncomfortable due to its rigid frame. Later, the 'penny-farthing' with a huge front wheel became popular, but it was dangerous. Finally, in 1885, the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive was introduced, making cycling much safer and more practical for everyday use.