雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people think of the bicycle as a relatively modern invention, its origins date back to the early 19th century. The first two-wheeled device, called a 'hobby horse', appeared in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, these early bicycles were very uncomfortable due to their solid rubber tires. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels became popular, making cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.