雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, you might think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but its earliest form appeared in 1817, when a German inventor created a wooden frame with two wheels and a handlebar, but no pedals. Riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. This was called a 'hobby horse.' Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, leading to the 'velocipede.' However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain-driven 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels became popular, making cycling much safer and more comfortable.