Пересказ, кратко()
in the 1860s, a two-wheeled bicycle with pedals was built by a frenchman called ernest michaux. other kinds of bicycle had been invented earlier in the century, but ernest michaux's invention, the velocipede, was easier to ride and thousands were sold throughout europe from 1869. over the next few decades, several improvements were made: tyres were fitted to the wheels and later, a chain was added to the pedals. more recently, bicycles have been invented with pedals at the front and a seat with a backrest. they're comfortable to ride, and they're fast too. bicycles are more popular today than ever before. about 80 million new bicycles are manufactured every year in china alone! in cities around the world, cycle lanes are being built and cycling is being encouraged by governments. it's possible that in ten or twenty years' time, cars will be banned from city centres and only cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed.