雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. You might be surprised to learn that the first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals. It was called a 'hobby horse' and was pushed along by the rider's feet. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, this design was uncomfortable due to its rigid frame and wooden wheels. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels became popular, making cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.