Free
Freewheeling
Freedom is two wheels and an open road. Take a blissful ride through cycling's golden past.
Perhaps it's hard to imagine today, but the motor car wasn't always the unchallenged king of Britain's roads. In the mid 20th century, one fifth of Britain's population cycled. The bicycle making industry boomed, and brands like Raleigh, Hercules, Phillips, Moulton, Humber, Rudge and Witcomb were known the world over. Easy, democratic and affordable, cycling remains a massively popular leisure activity. And for most cyclists, a leisurely summer ride on country roads - with a gentle breeze on your face (but preferably not a strong headwind) - is one of life's great pleasures. The bike still is one of the best ways to see rural Britain, but for anyone riding today's country roads, the virtually car-free world presented in this evocative selection of films will seem like a vision of a lost paradise.
Rider!Rider!
Government sponsored film 1945 4 mins
Cycling stunts and sight gags in a music hall curio.
Cyclists SpecialCyclists Special
Travelogue 1956 15 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.
Ladies on BicyclesLadies on Bicycles
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
Anyone for synchronised cycling? Victorian belles show off their riding skills.
Peddlers' ProgressPeddlers' Progress
Amateur film 1949 25 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!
Fat Man on a BicycleFat Man on a Bicycle
Comedy 1914 2 minsSilent Location: Teddington
A clumsy oversized cyclist causes chaos in this knockabout silent comedy.
Lady CyclistsLady Cyclists
Interest film 1899 1 minsSilent
A two-wheeled convoy of Victorian gentlewomen in a charming early film enigma.
Bicycle CollectionBicycle Collection
Non-Fiction 1976 6 mins Location: Arbury Park
Bone shakers, penny farthings and other antique cycles live on in Warwickshire rural retreat.
Nottingham: Cycle CityNottingham: Cycle City
Non-Fiction 1973 6 mins Location: Nottingham
Can Nottingham become another Amsterdam? A visit to the city where cyclists and pedestrians are living in harmony.
Riding AbreastRiding Abreast
1940 23 minsSilent
Three carefree schoolgirl cyclists learn the dangers of 'riding abreast' in this quaint cautionary tale shot in idyllic countryside.
Boy and BicycleBoy and Bicycle
Drama 1965 28 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.
Cinema Adverts for Humber, Raleigh and Rudge BicyclesCinema Adverts for Humber, Raleigh and Rudge Bicycles
Advert 1938 2 minsSilent
A fun selection of vintage animated adverts promoting some of Britain's leading bicycle brands.
Phillips Bicycles - Publicity Films for West AfricaPhillips Bicycles - Publicity Films for West Africa
Industry sponsored film 1954 5 minsSilent
From the West Midlands to West Africa: tour the Phillips bicycle plant in Smethwick and see the products in action overseas.
The Bespoke BikeThe Bespoke Bike
Interest film 1974 4 mins
Where two-wheeled dreams come true: a visit to the legendary Witcomb bike shop in Deptford.
Moulton BicycleMoulton Bicycle
School programme and Educational film 1972 21 minsSilent
Innovation on two wheels - presenting the latest model of the design classic that reinvented British commuting.
Riding on AirRiding on Air
Documentary 1959 16 mins Location: London
A beautiful and evocative survey of cycling's golden years.
Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best BicycleRudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle
Advert 1902 1 minsSilent
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
Raleigh: Fred MitchellRaleigh: Fred Mitchell
Documentary 1980 26 mins Location: Nottingham
Industrial relations and management's 'pound of flesh', on the shop floor of a large engineering firm in Nottingham.
Raleigh: Alan OakleyRaleigh: Alan Oakley
Documentary 1980 26 mins
Alan Oakley is the man that gave Britain the iconic Raleigh Chopper bike. This 1980 profile finds him moving from drawing board to boardroom.
Parisian PedallersParisian Pedallers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 minsSilent
Take a tour de France as cyclists double up for a tandem race through Paris's Bois de Boulogne.