雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning. Today we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first pedal-powered bicycle was invented in the 1830s by Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Scottish blacksmith. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels became popular, thanks to John Kemp Starley. This design made cycling much safer and more accessible, especially for women. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a common mode of transport in many European cities. Interestingly, the bicycle also played a key role in the women's suffrage movement, as it gave women greater freedom to travel independently.