雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Early bicycles, called velocipedes, appeared in the 19th century. They had wooden frames and iron wheels, making them very uncomfortable. In 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the 'Rover' safety bicycle, which had a chain drive and equal-sized wheels. This design became popular because it was safer and faster than the penny-farthing. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that bicycles became widely affordable for ordinary people, especially after mass production techniques lowered costs. Now, bicycles are not just for transport but also for sport and leisure.