Top 10

Our top 10 bicycle movies span the genres and styles: from classics to contemporary blockbusters and a recently released documentary; from informative to inspiring and heartwarming. How did we single these out? All were produced and set in North America, and all feature memorable bike scenes.

Pee-weeís Big Adventure (1985)

Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) embarks on a nationwide search for his beloved bike after it is stolen while he was visiting his friend Dottie (Elizabeth Daily).

Rad (1986)

Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a young BMX rider who lives in a small town with his mother and sister, is faced with a tough decision: qualify for the Helltrack, one of the largest BMX events, or take the SATs and apply to college in this classic coming-of-age story.

Quicksilver (1986)

After losing out on a risky business decision, Jack Casey (Kevin Bacon) leaves the fast-paced world of stock market trading and becomes a bicycle messenger.

Pedal (2001)

Shot through a camera clipped to a messenger's helmet, this short documentary is about the fast-paced daily activities of bicycle messengers in New York City.

Klunkerz (2006)

A documentary about the beginnings and growth of the mountain bike culture from a small group of innovators to a multi-billion-dollar industry.

American Flyers (1985)

This powerful film tells the story of two brothers, David (David Marshall Grant) and Marcus (Kevin Costner), who face the possibility of developing a crippling hereditary brain disease. Realizing they may not have much time left, they decide to embark on a cross-country journey to a bicycle race in Colorado.

Breaking Away (1979)

Dave (Dennis Christopher), one of four friends growing up in the small college town of Bloomington, IN, is obsessed with competitive bicycle racing. Adventures ensue as Dave searches for his place in the town and biking community.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

This classic American western tells the story of two outlaws and their exploits. In an unforgettable bicycle scene, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) takes Etta Place (Katharine Ross) for a ride through the countryside to the tune of B.J. Thomas's "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head."

Ride the Divide (2010)

A small group of adventurous bikers travel over 2,700 miles (4,300 kilometers) from Banff, AB, to the Mexican border in an attempt to ride the longest bike route in the world.

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Elliot (Henry Thomas) helps a lost alien get home in a dramatic flying bicycle scene.