Good morning, class. Today we'll be discussing the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume that the bicycle was invented in Europe, but actually, the first two-wheeled vehicle was created in China around 200 BC. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the modern bicycle, with pedals and a chain, appeared. In 1861, French inventors Pierre and Ernest Michaux added pedals to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. Interestingly, this early design was very difficult to ride because it had no brakes. It wasn't until 1885 that John Kemp Starley introduced the 'Rover', which featured a chain-driven rear wheel and equal-sized wheels, making it much safer. This design became the basis for modern bicycles.