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 had wooden wheels and no rubber tires, making it extremely uncomfortable to ride. In 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels, which greatly improved stability. However, the real breakthrough came in 1888 when John Boyd Dunlop invented pneumatic tires, which provided a much smoother ride. This innovation made cycling popular for leisure and transport, especially among women, as it allowed them to travel independently.