雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're discussing the history of the bicycle. While many people assume the modern bicycle was invented in Europe, its earliest known prototype actually appeared in China around 1800. This early version had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Later, in the 1860s, French inventors added pedals to the front wheel, creating the 'boneshaker'. However, it wasn't until the 1880s, with the introduction of the safety bicycle featuring a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, that cycling became popular among the general public. The pneumatic tire, developed in 1888, further improved comfort and speed.