Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its origins actually go back further. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'velocipede', appeared in France around 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. The pedals were added in the 1860s by a French blacksmith, Pierre Michaux. However, the real breakthrough came in 1885 when John Kemp Starley introduced the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, making it much safer and more practical for everyday use. This design quickly became the standard.