In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, appeared in 1817 in Germany. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. In the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France, creating the velocipede. However, it was nicknamed the 'boneshaker' due to its rigid frame and rough ride. Later, in the 1880s, the safety bicycle was introduced in England with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels, making it much more stable. This design became the basis for modern bicycles.
❓ What was the main advantage of the safety bicycle introduced in the 1880s?
A. It had a more comfortable seat.
B. It was lighter and easier to carry.
C. It was more stable because of its equal-sized wheels and chain drive.
D. It could travel faster than earlier models.
✅ 正确答案
It was more stable because of its equal-sized wheels and chain drive.