History of the Bicycle

History of the Bicycle written by Dana Duclo

《自行车的历史》，作者：达娜·杜克洛

Introduction. People started building bicycles in the 1800s. Since then, bicycles have grown more and more popular. Today, more than one billion people around the world ride bicycles. The design of bicycles has changed over time. However, one thing stays the same, two wheels and a lot of fun.

引言。 人们从19世纪开始制造自行车。 从那时起，自行车变得越来越受欢迎。 如今，全球有超过10亿人会骑自行车。 自行车的设计随着时间不断演变。 不过有一点始终没变，那就是两个轮子，还有满满的乐趣。

Early bicycles. Carl Dreis built the first bicycle in 1817. He called his invention the running machine. The frame and wheels of this early bike were made of wood. It had no pedals. Instead, the rider pushed the machine along with his or her feet.

早期的自行车。 1817年卡尔·德莱斯造出了第一辆自行车。 他把自己的发明叫做“奔跑机”。 这种早期自行车的车架和轮子都是木头做的。 它没有踏板。 骑车的人得用脚蹬地来推动车子前进。

In the years following, inventors made many changes to the bicycle. Around 1840, the first pedals were added to the bike. The pedals turned the rear wheel with cranks attached to long rods. Pedals allowed the rider's feet to remain off the ground as he or she rode.

在那之后的几年里，发明家们对自行车做了很多改进。 大约1840年，自行车第一次装上了踏板。 踏板通过连在长杆上的曲柄带动后轮转动。 有了踏板，骑车的时候人的脚就不用碰地面啦。

During the 1860s, two French inventors made pedals that turned the front wheel of the bicycle. Their new bike had a heavy iron frame and tires made of iron or wood.

19世纪60年代，两位法国发明家造出了能带动前轮转动的踏板。 他们的新自行车有沉甸甸的铁车架，轮胎是铁或者木头做的。

The Ordinary. Built in 1871, the Ordinary had a tall wheel in front and a small wheel in back. The rider sat on a seat above the high front wheel.

高轮自行车 高轮自行车诞生于1871年，前面的轮子很高，后面的轮子很小。 骑车的人坐在高高的前轮上方的座椅上。