Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, you might think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, and you'd be right. But its early forms were quite different. The first pedal-powered bicycle, called the velocipede, appeared in the 1860s in France. It had a wooden frame and iron tires, which made for a very bumpy ride. Later, in the 1870s, the high-wheel bicycle became popular, especially among young men who enjoyed the speed. However, it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. It wasn't until the 1880s that the safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, was developed. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible, especially for women.