雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The earliest bicycles, called 'hobby horses,' appeared in the early 19th century and were pushed along by the rider's feet. Then came the 'penny-farthing' in the 1870s, known for its large front 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, was developed in the 1880s. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible to the general public.