雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people think of the bicycle as a relatively modern invention, its origins actually date back to the early 19th century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'draisine' or 'hobby horse', was invented by Karl von Drais in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move forward. The next major development came in the 1860s when pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, these early bikes were uncomfortable and difficult to ride. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels was introduced, which closely resembles modern bicycles and became extremely popular.