Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Early bicycles, called 'velocipedes', appeared in the early 19th century. They had no pedals, and riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. In the 1870s, the 'penny-farthing' became popular, with a huge front wheel and a small rear wheel. However, it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. The modern safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, was introduced in the 1880s. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.