雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but its origins actually go back to the early 1800s. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'draisine', was invented by a German baron in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed themselves along with their feet. Later, in the 1860s, French inventors added pedals to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, this design was uncomfortable due to its rigid frame. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and equal-sized wheels became popular, making cycling accessible to the general public. So, while the basic concept emerged early, the modern bicycle as we know it took over 60 years to evolve.