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Cycling On Film
The bike is back! British cycling is enjoying a 21st-century renaissance, so what better time to celebrate a century of cycling on film?
Cycling was enjoying its first 'golden age' while film was in its infancy, which helps explain early filmmakers' fascination with bicycles. French pioneers the Lumière brothers filmed a trick-performing bicycliste as early as 1897, while two British films from the 1890s highlight the role of the bike in women's emancipation. Our tour of cinematic cycling has three stages. In Setting Off we capture the thrill of that first bike, the joys and perils of learning to ride, and all manner of adventure on two wheels. The romance of the open road is the focus of Freewheeling, a selection evoking a leisurely ride on our rural backways. Finally, Pedal Power changes gear as we look at cycling's competitive streak, as would-be champions push their two-wheeled machines to the limits. All in all, it's a selection to get even the weariest rider back in the saddle.
Boy and BicycleBoy and Bicycle
Drama196528 mins Location: Hartlepool
Ridley Scott's first film features his younger brother, the late Tony Scott, as a schoolboy playing truant for the day to meander around Hartlepool on his bicycle, lost in his own thoughts.
BMXBMX
Magazine and Review show19835 mins Location: Adderley Park Sta
Riders from the Birmingham Wheels Project show off the tricks and techniques of the new BMX craze.
It's a Bike!It's a Bike!
Sponsored film198321 mins Location: Yaxley
A ripe slice of 80s cheese: a lively, rapping cautionary tale for the young cyclist.
Peddlers' ProgressPeddlers' Progress
Amateur film194925 minsSilent Location: Ben Nevis
Join four clean-cut intrepid youngsters on an awfully big 1940s adventure as they sing and cycle their way around the youth hostels of scenic Scotland in glorious colour. Tally ho!
Cyclists SpecialCyclists Special
Travelogue195615 mins Location: Rugby
A wonderful short film, produced by British Transport Films, about travelling around Britain by bicycle - with the help of the odd train.
Cycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and SonCycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and Son
Advert19591 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Explore further
Setting Off
Remember your first bike? Those first faltering moments after the stabilisers came off? A lifetime of cycling starts here.
Pedal Power
Riding to the challenge: the competition to be the best, toughest or fastest on two wheels.
Freewheeling
Freedom is two wheels and an open road. Take a blissful ride through cycling's golden past.
More Cycling on Film in our Rentals collection.