雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people think of the bicycle as a relatively recent invention, its origins date back to the early 19th century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a velocipede, was invented in Germany in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France, creating what we now call the 'boneshaker' due to its rough ride. The development of the chain drive in the 1880s allowed for a safer and more efficient design, eventually leading to the modern bicycle we know today.