雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning. Today we're going to discuss 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. This was called a 'hobby horse'. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'penny-farthing'. However, this design was dangerous because the rider sat very high. By the late 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' was introduced, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive. This design became popular because it was much safer and easier to ride. Interestingly, the safety bicycle also played a role in women's liberation, as it gave women greater mobility.