Today, we're discussing the history of the bicycle. While many people think of the penny-farthing as an early design, it was actually the 'safety bicycle' in the 1880s that made cycling popular. The key innovation was the chain drive, which allowed the pedals to turn the rear wheel, enabling smaller front wheels and a lower seat. This made the bicycle much safer, especially for women, who could now ride in long skirts. Interestingly, the pneumatic tire, invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888, was originally developed to make his son's tricycle more comfortable, not for racing. However, it quickly improved speed and comfort on rough roads.
❓ 安全自行车相较于早期设计的主要优势是什么？
A. 它有一个更大的前轮，以便速度更快。
B. 它采用了链条传动，使得前轮可以更小，座椅位置更低。
C. 这是第一辆装有脚踏板的自行车。
D. 这款产品是专为女性骑行者设计的。
✅ 正确答案
It used a chain drive allowing a smaller front wheel and lower seat.