雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, which made riding faster but also more dangerous. By the 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' was introduced with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, making it much safer and more practical. This design quickly became popular, and by the 1890s, bicycles were widely used for transportation and leisure. Interestingly, the invention of the safety bicycle also played a role in women's liberation, as it gave women greater mobility and independence.