雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its origins actually go back further. The first known two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'celerifere', appeared in France in the 1790s. It had no pedals or steering, and riders pushed their feet along the ground. Later, in 1817, a German inventor added a steering mechanism, but still no pedals. It wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were attached to the front wheel, creating what we now recognize as a bicycle. Interestingly, early bicycles were often called 'boneshakers' due to their wooden wheels and metal tires, which made rides very uncomfortable.