雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its origins actually date back earlier. The first two-wheeled device, called a 'draisine', was created by Karl von Drais in 1817. However, it had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. It wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were added to the front wheel in France. Interestingly, the invention of the chain drive in the 1880s made bicycles much safer and more efficient, leading to their widespread popularity. So, despite early designs, the modern bicycle as we know it emerged relatively recently.