雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're discussing the history of the bicycle. The first pedal-powered bicycle was invented in Scotland in 1839 by Kirkpatrick Macmillan. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels became popular. This design, which featured a chain drive to the rear wheel, made cycling much safer and more accessible. Interestingly, the pneumatic tire, invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888, was originally developed for his son's tricycle, not for bicycles. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a major mode of transport in Europe and North America, especially for workers commuting to factories.