雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume that the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, and that's partly true. However, the first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'draisine', appeared in 1817 in Germany. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France, creating the 'velocipede'. But it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain drive and pneumatic tires were introduced, making bicycles much safer and more comfortable. This led to a cycling boom in the 1890s, especially among women, as it offered them new freedom of movement.