雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, called the 'draisine', was invented in 1817 by a German baron. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. In the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, it was very uncomfortable due to its solid rubber tires and wooden frame. The 'high wheeler' or 'penny-farthing' followed in the 1870s, with a large front wheel for speed. But it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. Finally, in 1885, the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive was introduced, making cycling much safer and more popular.