雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're discussing the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals and was pushed along by the rider's feet. It was called a 'velocipede'. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, making it faster but also harder to balance. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive became popular. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible, especially for women. Interestingly, the bicycle's popularity led to better roads and even influenced the early automobile industry.