Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, was invented in 1817 by a German baron. It had no pedals; riders pushed themselves along with their feet. Then, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the velocipede. However, it was very uncomfortable because of its solid rubber tires and wooden frame. The real breakthrough came in 1885 when John Kemp Starley designed the Rover Safety Bicycle, which had a chain-driven rear wheel and equally sized wheels, making it much safer and faster. This design became the basis for modern bicycles.
❓ Why was the Rover Safety Bicycle considered a significant improvement over earlier models?
A. A) It had a larger front wheel and pedals.
B. B) It used a chain-driven rear wheel with equal-sized wheels.
C. C) It was the first bicycle to have wooden frame.
D. D) It could be propelled by pushing with feet.
✅ Correct Answer
B. B) It used a chain-driven rear wheel with equal-sized wheels.