Today we're going to look at the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Later, the penny-farthing, with a huge front wheel, became popular in the 1870s. However, it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. The modern safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, appeared in the 1880s. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible, leading to a boom in popularity among both men and women. By the 1890s, cycling had become a common leisure activity and a means of transport.