In the late nineteenth century, the invention of the pneumatic tire revolutionized personal transportation. Prior to this innovation, bicycles were equipped with solid rubber tires that transmitted every vibration and bump from the road directly to the frame. These early models, often referred to as 'boneshakers,' made riding on cobblestone streets incredibly uncomfortable. Because of this rough ride, cycling was viewed as a grueling activity and was mostly limited to young, athletic individuals.
This dynamic shifted dramatically in 1888 when John Boyd Dunlop patented the pneumatic tire. Filled with compressed air rather than solid rubber, these new tires functioned as cushions, absorbing the impact of uneven terrain and smoothing out the ride. Bicycles became significantly easier to control and far more comfortable. This improvement quickly made cycling accessible to a much broader public, including women and older adults. Consequently, a massive cycling boom swept through cities, leading to a surge in bicycle manufacturing and the rapid construction of paved roads to accommodate the growing number of riders.
Based on the passage, what was the primary cause of cycling being largely restricted to young, athletic individuals prior to 1888?
- AThe restriction of cycling to young, athletic individuals, which led to the initial use of solid rubber tires.
- The discomfort of riding bicycles equipped with solid rubber tires that did not absorb road bumps.Answer
- CThe subsequent surge in bicycle manufacturing and the widespread construction of paved roads.
- DThe expensive cost of purchasing newly patented tires filled with compressed air.