雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Later, the penny-farthing, with its huge front wheel, became popular in the 1870s. However, it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. The safety bicycle, introduced in the 1880s, featured two wheels of equal size and a chain drive, making it much safer and more practical. This design quickly became the standard and led to a cycling boom in the 1890s. Interestingly, the safety bicycle also played a role in women's liberation, as it gave women greater mobility and independence.