Today we're going to look at the history of the bicycle. The first bicycles, called 'hobby horses', appeared in the early 1800s. They had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Then, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, it was very uncomfortable because of its solid rubber tires. The real breakthrough came in 1885 with the 'safety bicycle', which had a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels, making it much safer and faster. By the 1890s, bicycles had become hugely popular, especially among women, as they offered a new sense of freedom.