Today we're going to look at the history of the bicycle. Now, many people think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but actually, the first two-wheeled vehicle appeared in 1817, invented by a German baron. However, it had no pedals; you pushed it along with your feet. The pedal-driven bicycle we know today came later, around the 1860s in France. Interestingly, the early models had a large front wheel and a small back wheel, which made them dangerous to ride. It wasn't until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive became popular, making cycling accessible to a wider audience.
❓ When did the pedal-driven bicycle first appear according to the lecture?