雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people believe the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but in fact, early prototypes appeared as far back as the 1790s in France. However, the first really practical design came in 1885, when John Kemp Starley introduced the 'Rover' safety bicycle. This model had equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, making it much safer than the earlier 'penny-farthing', which had a huge front wheel. The safety bicycle quickly gained popularity, especially among women, because it allowed them to ride comfortably in long skirts. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a common mode of transport in Europe and North America.