雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals. Riders pushed their feet along the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, but this made the bicycle unstable. By the 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive became popular. Interestingly, the bicycle's popularity grew significantly in the 1890s, especially among women, because it provided a new sense of freedom and independence. However, this also led to changes in fashion, as women began wearing more practical clothing for cycling.