There’s something special about a bike on the big screen. Maybe it’s the simplicity of two wheels and the open road, or how filmmakers capture the freedom, speed and pure joy of riding.
For cyclists and movie lovers alike the best cycling scenes in film aren’t just entertainment – they’re emotional punches that remind us why we ride. These moments stick with us long after the credits roll, and they become part of our personal highlight reels of motivation.
That’s gotta be why cycling movies have such power. They lift us up when our legs feel like lead and nudge us out the door when it’s wet, windy or just plain nasty outside. And when we can’t get out for a ride, the perfect solution is a cosy night re-watching memorable cycling scenes.
You can even queue up a film while you’re riding on of the thousands of realistic routes on the ROUVY indoor cycling app, or working your way through one of the platform’s cycling training plans – doubling the inspiration, and making those indoor kilometres feel almost as exciting as a cinematic chase.
Cycling in film has the ability to capture everything we love about riding: the struggle, the romance, the escapism, the camaraderie, the triumph. Let’s check out some of the most iconic cycling movie moments.
Top cycling movie moments
Before we get into the scenes that define cycling on the silver screen, let’s pause to appreciate just how varied the sport’s representation in film really is.
From childhood wonder, to underdog grit and surreal animation, to slapstick comedy, bicycles appear in cinema as symbols of hope, rebellion, independence and fun. The best cycling scenes in film aren’t just about races – they’re emotional touchstones that tap directly into our love of riding.
The moonlit escape in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
If we’re talking about iconic cycling movie moments, this one’s hovering above them all – literally. The sequence in E.T. where Elliott and his alien friend escape government agents on a BMX bike is etched into our collective consciousness. As the bike takes to the night sky and soars across the full moon, cinema and cycling merge into pure magic.
This has become one of the most memorable cycling scenes ever filmed, not because of speed or technical skill, but because it captures childhood freedom. Every cyclist knows that feeling: the first time you ride fast enough to feel airborne, the first time a bike makes the world feel bigger. _E.T. _distilled that into a single shot that still gives us goosebumps.
The taped-feet finale in Breaking Away
Released in 1979, Breaking Away is one of the best cycling films ever made and its final race is still one of the most memorable cycling movie moments. The story follows a group of small-town “Cutters” trying to prove themselves against privileged university students. In the big Little 500 relay race, rider Dave Stohler crashes, gets injured and – because this is cycling – tapes his feet to the pedals to keep going.
It’s gritty, dramatic, slightly absurd and utterly inspiring. The finale is peak cycling emotion: the blend of stubbornness, self-belief and strategic teamwork that gets you through the longest climbs or the last kilometres of a race. It’s one of the best cycling scenes in film because it feels so damn real. Every cyclist has at some point pushed past pain for the sake of glory – though hopefully with shoes on.
The human drama of American Flyers
Before Kevin Costner rode horses on the prairie, he rode a bike through the Rocky Mountains in American Flyers, a 1985 movie full of cycling drama, family dynamics and competition. The racing scenes, including the “Hell of the West” race, are exhilarating. But one of the things that make the movie so much fun for cycling fans is the cameo by Eddy Merckx himself. Seeing Merckx – arguably the greatest cyclist of all time – pop up in a fictional storyline blurs the line between cycling in cinema and real cycling greatness.
The movie captures the emotional highs and lows of competitive riding: loyalty, suffering, breakthroughs and rivalry. American Flyers is the kind of flick that makes you want to jump on your bike afterwards and test your own limits.
The surreal rescue mission in The Triplets of Belleville
Great movies aren’t always live-action and The Triplets of Belleville proves that animated cycling can be just as good. This French film from 2003 is full of the most imaginative and memorable cycling scenes ever drawn, including the sequence where a determined grandmother and her dog go on a rescue mission after her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France.
The movie exaggerates cycling culture – long-limbed riders, bizarre coaches, wild races – but beneath the surreal imagery is real heart. Cycling becomes metaphor, passion, obsession, identity, all painted with dreamlike brushstrokes. You don’t just watch the action, you feel it. It’s a reminder that even the most fantastical depictions of cycling have emotional truths that resonate with real riders.
Other cult classics: Quicksilver, Rad and beyond
No cycling-in-cinema celebration is complete without a nod to the cult classics. Let’s be honest: Quicksilver made every kid in the ‘80s briefly consider quitting school to become a bike messenger like Kevin Bacon. Meanwhile Rad – a BMX movie drenched in neon nostalgia – gave us BMX dance sequences, high-flying stunts and a soundtrack that practically pedals itself. Yes, the BMX prom dance scene is real – and it’s glorious.
They may not have won awards but they’re loved by riders who grew up dreaming of big air or big city messenger adventures. They’re pure, unadulterated fun and show cycling as a lifestyle, a tribe, a show. Watching them now still makes you want to get on a bike and try something crazy (ideally with pads and a helmet).
Comic relief on two wheels: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
And then there’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. If the other films on this list are about triumph, freedom and emotional depth, this one is about pure absurdity. Directed by a young Tim Burton and premiered in 1985, the film follows Pee-wee Herman’s quest to get back his beloved red bike. The result? Chase scenes, pratfalls and one of the most memorable on-screen relationships between a man and his bike.
Pee-wee treats his bike like a treasure (don’t we all?). The film’s funny, weird and meaningful. It shows that the bond between rider and bike can be as sentimental or as silly as you want it to be. The film also delivers a valuable history lesson: Remember, there’s no basement at the Alamo!
Get real: Cycling documentaries
Also worth noting: Beyond fictional stories, there are a slew of cycling documentaries packed with gripping real-life drama, jaw-dropping adventures and true athlete-journeys. From epic Grand Tour rivalries to gravel grinders chasing horizons, these films bring us gritty reality and raw emotion on two wheels.
- For a roundup of some of the very best, check out our list of 20 of the best cycling documentaries.
What we can learn from these scenes
Beyond the entertainment value, these cycling scenes remind us why cycling’s so powerful. From alien adventures to underdog victories, the stories are universal. There’s perseverance, loyalty, courage, freedom and joy. They mirror the emotions we experience on the road or trail.
Cycling in film amplifies the emotional reality of riding.
In Breaking Away we see the struggle for identity and belonging.
In American Flyers we watch riders push past fear and physical limits.
The Triplets of Belleville celebrates determination bordering on obsession.
Even E.T. taps into the escapist thrill that got many of us onto bikes as kids.
Visual storytelling enhances these emotions. The sweeping shots of mountain passes, the close-ups of spinning wheels, the dramatic music – it all turns pedalling into poetry. And because cycling is so sensory, we connect to these depictions. Every rider has felt the beat of effort, the sting of sweat, the rush of descent.
Film just helps us relive those moments from a new perspective.
How to bring movie moments into your ride
You don’t need a film set or a Hollywood budget to bring cinematic magic into your own cycling. Start by thinking about the moods and themes that resonate with you: the wonder of E.T., the determination of Breaking Away, the chaos and charm of Belleville, the pure fun of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Let these be your touchstones for how you ride.
Setting “cinematic goals” can make training sessions more fun. Maybe your next big hill climb is your own personal “Hell of the West.” Maybe a social ride with friends is like the Cutters. If you enjoy self-documentation, filming segments of your rides – even just with your phone – can help you capture the beauty and drama around you. When you watch those clips later, they’ll feel more epic than they did in the moment.
Sound matters too. Create playlists inspired by your favourite cycling films or their emotional tones. Orchestral sweeps, ’80s anthems, French jazz – whatever gets you pumped. And for indoor sessions, the ROUVY app lets you pair real-world routes with your favourite films or playlists, so your rides feel as epic as any movie.
Most of all, remember: your ride is a story. Every climb is a challenge, every descent a reward, and every route – no matter how many times you’ve done it – has the potential for a great scene.
Conclusion: Cinematic inspiration for every rider
The best cycling scenes in films stick with us because they mirror our own experiences on the bike. They make us laugh, dream and sometimes even cry a little. They remind us that every rider – whether beginner or elite – can find moments of magic, resilience and pure joy.
Using iconic cycling movie moments is more than just entertainment; it’s a way to reignite your passion for riding.
So next time the sky’s grey or motivation is low, watch a favourite film or take a ride on ROUVY while a classic cycling scene plays out on the screen in your pain cave.
Let the cinema breathe new life into your training and let those unforgettable images carry you through your next kilometre. Because on the road, just like in the movies, every rider can be the hero of his or her own story.
