雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're discussing the history of the bicycle. While many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its earliest forms actually appeared in the 18th century in France. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'celerifere,' had no pedals and was pushed along by the rider's feet. Later, in 1817, a German inventor added a steering mechanism, making it easier to turn. However, it wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were attached to the front wheel, creating the first true bicycle. Interestingly, the modern chain-driven design with two equal-sized wheels emerged only in the late 1880s, which greatly improved safety and speed.