In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first pedal-powered bicycle was invented in the 1860s, but it had a huge front wheel and a small rear wheel, which made it difficult to ride. In 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, making it much safer and more practical. This design quickly became popular, and by the 1890s, bicycles were widely used for transportation and leisure. Interestingly, the safety bicycle also played a role in women's liberation, as it gave women greater mobility and independence.
❓ 1885年推出的安全自行车的主要优势是什么？
A. A. 它比早期的型号更轻。
B. B. 它有一个更大的前轮以提高速度。
C. C. 由于车轮尺寸相同且采用链条传动，骑行起来更安全、更轻松。
D. D. 它是第一辆装有脚踏板的自行车。
✅ 正确答案
C. It was safer and easier to ride due to equal-sized wheels and a chain drive.