Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people think of the bicycle as a relatively modern invention, its origins actually date back to the early 19th century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the 'draisine' or 'hobby horse,' was invented by Karl von Drais 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.' However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and equal-sized wheels became popular, making cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.