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We all remember the day we got our first bike. John Lennon described that he felt like ‘the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world.’
In this post, I’m going to celebrate the moment when we receive our first bicycle. How am I going to do that?
Well, by listing some of my favorite cycling quotes, which really tell of what cycling means to us all – and how to feel gratitude for this beautiful activity.
Cycling is a symbol of hope, dreams, progress, resilience…and it’s just good fun too. If you’re thinking about getting a bike either for yourself or a loved one, then hopefully this inspiration will tip you over the edge.
Let’s dive into the ultimate 40+ first bicycle quotes:
40+ First Bicycle Quotes
That John Lennon Quote in full to open things off:
- “As a kid, I had a dream – I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed.” – John Lennon
And next, this beautiful anonymous quote:
2. “Four wheels move your body; two wheels move your soul.”
There’s something magical about pedaling and kicking through a simple machine that provides good exercise, transportation, excitement, and relaxation all in one. This quote captures the essence of cycling perfectly – it is a spiritual and emotional feeling just as much as physical activity.
3. “When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” – Arthur Conan Doyle.
The world-renowned Scottish author of the Sherlock Holmes novels listed cycling as one of his greatest joys in life. This saying beautifully encapsulates the true wonders of cycling as a stimulating, fulfilling, and motivating activity.
4. “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driving through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” – Ernest Hemingway.
Conan Doyle was not the only globally adored author who commented on the magic of cycling.
Ernest Hemingway, the author of ‘The Old Man And The Sea’, often wrote about how cycling truly connects you with nature and your surroundings in a way other transportation never can.
Riding a bicycle has a way to engage you physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as you are manually laboring to continue instead of letting a machine do the job for you.
5. “Cyclers see considerably more of this beautiful world than any other class of citizens. A good bicycle, well applied, will cure most ills this flesh is heir to” – Dr. K. K. Doty.
While riding a car or bus isolates you from the scenery around you, bicycles make you a part of it. If your work life is tough or you feel unfulfilled and exhausted, riding a bicycle will undoubtedly help you be more mindful of and connect better to your surroundings.
As fantastical and exaggerated as it seems, cycling truly is a cure for the soul, just as Dr. Doty says.
- “I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying“- Greg LeMond.
This quote is by the former pro rider and three times champion of Tour de France, and twice Road Race world champion, Greg LeMond.
- “Every time you miss your childhood, ride on a bicycle!” – Mehmet Murat Ildan.
If you’re feeling gloomy and nostalgic, this advice by a Turkish contemporary playwright and novelist is just for you. Cycling will help you connect with your inner child like nothing else can.
The thrill of zooming downhill without any inhibitions or worries, with puddles splashing around your ankles is the best feeling in the world.
- “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” – H. G. Wells.
This quote is by H.G. Wells, celebrated author of ‘The Invisible Man’. One of his most famous lines from the book ‘The War Of The Wheels’ , you have probably spotted this saying on websites and bicycle shops or heard it being quoted by cycling enthusiasts from all around the world.
- “Crashing is part of cycling as crying is part of love”- Johan Museeuw.
Johan Museeuw is a former pro rider, having twice been awarded the world champion title.
You can use this quote for your Monday motivation, as a caption for your cool Instagram biking picture, or even to tauntingly quote at a struggling friend!
- “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”- Albert Einstein.
There is absolutely no way you haven’t heard this saying by the renowned physicist, Albert Einstein at least once in your life. With his genius, odd socks, and wild hair, Einstein might have had his eccentricities, but it’s safe to say he certainly wasn’t wrong!
- “At that age, it’s one of the worst things in the world to wake up and not see your bike where you left it.” – Curtis Jackson
Curtis has summarized the deep attachment kids (and adults, too!) feel to their portable companion! Bike thieves have caused many tear-soaked children sorrow.
- “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.” – Gloria Steinem.
This quote is by the immensely popular journalist Gloria Steinem, a champion of women’s rights in 1960s and 1970s America. She has taken the bitingly sexist adage of ‘A woman without a man is like a fish without water’ and given it a clever twist.
- “Truly, the bicycle is the most influential piece of product design ever.” – Hugh Pearman
Pearman is quite right. Bicycles, after their invention, were considered so state-of-the-art and unique that they led to the creation of another favorite vehicle – the motorbike. Bicycles are still superior, though, since they don’t need fuel, don’t pollute the environment, and also keep your legs in good shape!
- “Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.” – Grant Petersen
Experts such as Petersen rave about the benefits of bicycling. Fast, light, inexpensive, and earth-friendly, a switch to bicycling can be a life-altering decision for health-conscious and environmentally-conscious people.
- “Nature loves bicycles because no harm to nature comes from the bicycle!” Mehmet Murat Ildan
In a world of immense noise and air pollution caused by cars and other vehicles, the role of bikes in saving the world is quite a major one.
- “Bikers gonna bike.”- Andy Atticus
Woe to anyone that tries to stop a cyclist from cycling!
- “The city needs a car like a fish needs a bicycle.” – Dean Kamen
Cars are wreaking havoc on the environment, and Kamen emphasizes that bicycles are the way to go!
- “Marriage is a wonderful invention: then again, so is a bicycle repair kit.” – Billy Connolly.
Connolly hilariously compares the ‘invention’ of the bumpy ride of a marriage to a solution for broken bikes – bicycle repair kits! With these on hand, you have no excuse to be shirking off your Monday cycling!
- “Work to eat. Eat to live. Live to bike. Bike to work.”
Another reminder by an unnamed person of the important things in life – eating, living, working, and keeping the planet and your health intact by cycling!
Quick Musical Interlude
Featured in trending music videos like Mark Ronson’s ‘The Bike Song’ and classic Indie films like ‘Breaking Away’, nothing gets more exhilarating and motivation-kicking quite like a long, breezy bike ride!
From world-renowned authors writing about the joys of cycling to motivational speakers throwing in a good old ‘you’ve got to keep pedaling so you don’t fall’ in their speeches, the cycling world is filled with great sayings that reflect the long history of this sport and lifestyle.
Back To The Quotes
- “You do not need a therapist if you own a cycle!” – Dan Aykroyd.
Cycling doesn’t only benefit you physically, but also mentally. Cyclists feel less stress, can throw away their inhibitions when on a ride, and pause and breathe some good old oxygen. In this fast-paced, stress-inducing world, cycling therapy is all you need!
- “The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike… you have to understand what she wants.”- Valentino Rossi
Rossi gives some useful advice on how to best use your bike to its fullest potential: maintain it.
- “Belief in yourself and your cycling goals is the ignition switch that gets you off the sofa and onto your bike.” – Felicity Luckey
A reminder that commitment is important to keep up your bicycling routine!
- “I love the sensation of being out in the open air, far away from all the distractions of modern life. I will usually disappear for a couple of hours, and that time on my bike is quite sacred, as it’s when I do all my serious thinking. Sometimes I will stop off at bikers’ cafe and have a bacon sandwich.” – Paul Hollywood
A biker’s lifestyle summarized!
- “I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days.”- Unknown
Good health leads to longevity and vivacity of life – and cycling helps you achieve both!
- “I love being on my bike, but I don’t consider that a sport: it’s too pleasant.”- John Cooper Clarke
Cycling isn’t just for the professionals, and the famous poet John Cooper Clarke perfectly encapsulates just how freeing and euphoric bicycling can be for anyone and everyone!
- “The older I get, the faster I was. There are old bikers and there are bold bikers, but there are no old, bold bikers.” – Evel Knievel
Take it from the star stunt performer Knievel – practice truly does make perfect.
- “There are two kinds of riders: Those who have crashed and those who will.” – Unknown
Nothing comes without failure, and a good old bike ride is bound to bring some bruises, scratches, free spirits, and sore legs.
- “If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.” – Lance Armstrong
Taking risks is essential in life – and cycling teaches you that learning comes with tribulations.
- “When you ride hard on a mountain bike, sometimes you fall, otherwise, you’re not riding hard.” – George W. Bush
Take it from an American President – a ride along any path you take will come with bumps, or you’re not going as hard as you can!
- “Cyclists live with pain. If you can’t handle it, you will win nothing.” – Eddy Merckx
As famous Belgian bicycler Merckx rightfully says, getting jolted about while seated on a moving vehicle is the superior form of athleticism – and pain is just part of the journey! No pain, no gain.
- “You are one ride away from a good mood.” – Sarah Bentley
Ditch the couch dumps and go cycling! Move those legs and rejuvenate that mind!
- “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.” – Susan B. Anthony
Tired of getting knocked about in public transport? Bicycles might be the solution! A good cycle ride can give you the sense of uninhibited and unchecked joy that you so desire. And as the wind whips through your hair, you can also reclaim your space in public as a woman!
- “I find buying a bicycle is a great way to stay in touch with people.” – Jan Chipchase
The horrors of public transport permanently put you off traveling? Adopting cycling will make sure you remain connected with loved ones across several miles!
- “Cycling to work is an important issue for business – the more who do it, the more our communities will support it. Healthy and green, cycling is worthy of the support of every business in the land.” – Sir Digby Jones
Cycling as an endeavor connects to all forms of business and personal choices. That element speaks for itself in understanding the viability and advantages of cycling!
- “You are likely to fall when you stop pedaling your bicycle. Such is life. As long as you don’t give up, you will never end up failing!” – Israelmore Ayivor
- “The place of cycling in our society is set to grow, and I am committed to doing everything possible to encourage that.” – Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Set the trend amongst your family and friends by taking up subsidies extended by governments to encourage the use of bicycles in travel! Your associates and friends will thank you later!
- “When your legs scream stop and your lungs are bursting, that’s when it starts. That’s the hurt locker. Winners love it there.” – Chris McCormack
Chasing the euphoria of winning even as your muscles start to burn? Get into competitive cycling and Bike-a-Thons, and McCormack’s words will make a lot of sense! The pain really is worth it in the end.
- “Nothing compares to getting your heart rate up to 170-something, riding hard for an hour-twenty, getting off and not hurting, as opposed to 24 minutes of running, at the end of which I hurt. When you ride a bike and you get your heart rate up and you’re out, after 30 or 40 minutes your mind tends to expand; it tends to relax.” – President George W. Bush
The only mind-expanding drug you need is endorphins triggered by good ol’ cycling. Plus, cycling and running are the same amounts of exercise, so what’s to lose?
- “Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling.” – James E. Starrs
Skidding downhills with the wind blowing away all negative and sad thoughts? That’s cycling for you!
- “Devised almost 200 years ago by a practical German baron, the bicycle has evolved into an urban staple. Beloved of children, prized by inner-city commuters, it can be a lifesaver when summer smog chokes the nation.” – Globe And Mail, Canada
This published quote summarizes what makes bicycles so special. Environmentally friendly, physically stimulating, curbing noise and air pollution, and minimizing sweaty car-owners cursing at each other during a summer traffic jam? Sounds like heaven to me!
- “Cyclists see considerably more of this beautiful world than any other class of citizens.” -Dr. K.K. Doty
Cars, buses, and trains aren’t at all compatible with narrow tracks leading into beautiful wildernesses. A cycle will take you places where another commute is incapable of taking you.
42. “A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke”
This saying certainly holds true for all aspects of life. The quote is by Scott Stoll, a community professor who one day decided to travel 25,752 miles around the world on his bicycle in his quest for happiness.
So, there you have it! These are some of my absolute favorite cycling quotes, ranging from funny, to inspirational and motivational.
Whether your planning on getting your first bike for you or a loved one, I hope you’ll store these at the back of your mind.
I hope some of these gave you time to reflect on this most wonderful, two-wheeled creation. Or a hearty chuckle at least!