雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

In today's lecture, we're discussing the history of the bicycle. The first practical bicycle, known as the 'velocipede', was invented in the 1860s in France. It had wooden wheels and pedals attached directly to the front wheel, which made it difficult to ride. Later, in the 1870s, the 'penny-farthing' became popular, featuring a large front wheel and a small rear wheel. However, it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. The modern safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, emerged in the 1880s, making cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.