Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, appeared in 1817 and was powered by pushing your feet along the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the velocipede. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain drive was introduced, allowing the rear wheel to be powered. This design, known as the safety bicycle, became hugely popular because it was much safer than the earlier high-wheel models. Interestingly, the pneumatic tire, invented in 1888, was originally designed for bicycles, not cars, and it greatly improved comfort and speed.
❓ What was the main advantage of the safety bicycle over earlier models?
A. A. It had a chain drive that made it faster.
B. B. It was safer to ride due to its design.
C. C. It used pneumatic tires for better comfort.
D. D. It was powered by pushing feet on the ground.