雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, called the 'dandy horse', was invented in 1817 by a German baron. It had no pedals, and riders pushed themselves along with their feet. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, this design was uncomfortable and difficult to ride. The breakthrough came in 1885 when John Kemp Starley introduced the 'safety bicycle', which had a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels. This design is the basis for modern bicycles. Interestingly, the safety bicycle became popular quickly, especially among women, as it offered a more practical and dignified mode of transport.