雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, you might think that the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, and you'd be right. However, the first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'draisine', appeared in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. But it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain drive and pneumatic tires were introduced, making bicycles much more comfortable and efficient. Interestingly, the safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels, became popular in the 1890s, especially among women, as it was easier to ride in long skirts.