雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first pedal-powered bicycle was invented in the 1860s in France, but it wasn't until the 1880s that the safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, became popular. This design made cycling much safer, especially for women, who began to use bicycles for leisure and transport. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a major mode of transportation in many cities. Interestingly, the introduction of the automobile in the 1920s led to a decline in bicycle use, but recent concerns about the environment have sparked a renewed interest in cycling.