Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people think of it as a relatively modern invention, the first two-wheeled vehicle, called a hobby horse, appeared in Germany in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Then, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France. However, these early bicycles were uncomfortable and difficult to ride. The major breakthrough came in 1885 with the 'safety bicycle', which had a chain drive and two equally sized wheels. This design made cycling much safer and more popular, especially among women.