雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, you might be surprised to learn that the first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals. It was propelled by pushing your feet against the ground. This design, called a 'hobby horse,' was popular but inefficient. Then, in the 1860s, the addition of pedals to the front wheel made riding faster, but it was also dangerous because riders often fell forward. It wasn't until the late 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels was introduced, which greatly improved stability and paved the way for modern bicycles.