雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people think of it as a simple invention, its development took over a century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a draisine, appeared in 1817, but it had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. In the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the velocipede. However, this design was uncomfortable because of its rigid frame. It wasn't until the 1880s that the chain-driven 'safety bicycle' was introduced, which made cycling much safer and more popular, especially among women who gained new mobility.