I Want To Ride My Bicycle: Top Ten Bikes in Games

May 1st is “Learn To Ride A Bike Day!” I remember vividly when I first learned – I was visiting my grandma in the summer and was determined to show off a new skill when my parents came to get me again. Grandma had a long, paved driveway that was easy for practicing. She’d hold onto my seat and run with me to get me going and then, when I didn’t know it, she’d let go – leaving me to fend for myself. As long as I was pedaling, I was okay! After awhile, I got the hang of it, but I had no idea how to use the brakes. So, I did the next best thing – I ran into the fence.

To celebrate the occasion, I’ve selected my Top Ten instances of Bikes in video games! Now, let’s get pedaling!

---

10) Street Fighter II
(1991, SNES/Sega Genesis)

Street Fighter II did a great job of bringing to life the unique locations where each bout was taking place. Having been to China myself, I can personally attest to the abundance of bicycles in the streets. I wonder what brand is owned by Chun Li!

9) Punch-Out!!
(1987, NES)

An homage to the Rocky movie, Little Mac trains with Doc Louis who rides ahead of him on his two-wheeler.

8) Barbie Super Model
(1993, SNES/Sega Genesis)

Barbie dreams of being a super model and needs to stay fit! Biking is a wonderful activity for exercise!

7) Grand Theft Auto V
(2013, Various)

Sick of carjacking strangers? Grab a bike and find the hottest hill in San Andreas!

6) Earthbound
(1994, SNES)

Gifted from the cashier of the “Punk-Sure” shop in Twoson, Ness not only gets a sweet ride, but he’s also treated to a whistly riff on “Sweet Georgia Brown!”

5) Mountain Bike
(Release Date Unknown, Flash)

In the early days of Flash games, navigate the perils of the mountain in this 2D bike adventure!

4) Free Rider HD
(2014, Mobile)

A successor to Mountain Bike, Free Rider brings the challenge to your mobile device (and is easily accessible to play here: https://www.freeriderhd.com/)

3) Lonely Mountains: Downhill
(2019, Various)

Continuing the trend of the previous two games, Lonely Mountain: Downhill is a cool 3D biking game I discovered via a demo on the Switch eShop when I was looking for “relaxing” games. Was it relaxing? I think I fell off the mountain too many times to truly relax. But, I had fun!

2) Wii Sports Resort
(2009, Wii)

The Cycling event in Wii Sports Resort made full use of the system’s Wiimote controllers. If you weren’t tired after playing this game, you were doing it wrong!

---

Honorable Mention:
Uniracers
(1994, SNES)

California Games

(1987, Various)

Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow

(1996, Game Boy)

Shoutout to JAVGB and Singing Gecko for reminding me about this one. I’m ashamed to have forgotten it! While it should probably be a part of the numbered list, it will have to be just an honorable mention for now – a punishment for my lack of memory!

---

1) Paperboy
(1985, Arcade/NES)

Nothing is quite as iconic as the original Paperboy game! And one of the game’s most unique features is that the arcade cabinet actually included a controller shaped like handlebars! It doesn’t get more bike-y than that!

---

Thanks for stopping by to read my post! Can you think of any other instances of bikes in video games? Leave me a comment, and let me know! Also, if you enjoy my content, be sure to click “like” to show your support. “Follow” me to see more of my stuff in the future!