雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, was called the 'hobby horse.' It had no pedals, and riders pushed their feet along the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'penny-farthing,' which had a very large front wheel and a small rear wheel. This design was fast but dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. By the late 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' appeared, featuring two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive to the rear wheel. This design was much safer and became the basis for modern bicycles. The introduction of pneumatic tires in the 1890s further improved comfort and speed.