雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning. Today we're going to look at the history of the bicycle. Now, you might think the bicycle is a relatively modern invention, but in fact, the first pedal-powered bicycle was developed in the 1860s. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive appeared. This design made cycling much safer and more popular, especially among women. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a common mode of transport in many cities. Interestingly, one key improvement was the introduction of pneumatic tires, which were originally used on tricycles before being adapted for bicycles.