American pop culture. So many things make it distinct. You have the golden arches of McDonald’s that sparked a fast food and franchising craze. Then there’s Mickey Mouse who’s name was more than likely the first two words we all learned how to spell. And I cannot fail to mention Coca Cola, Barbie and Ken, Oprah, Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on when it comes to all of the figures we can so effortlessly recall.

As I thought about the numerous things that are indelibly woven into the fabric of the American culture I couldn’t help but think how much the bicycle has played a role. Journey with me as I explore just a few of the bicycle’s cameos and leading roles in iconic American movies and television shows.

Let’s start with the big one, our extra-terrestrial favorite, E.T. Who could forget this one? Not only is it one of my favorites because it cements the year I was born into all of our memories (wow, am I dating myself here? lol) but it’s one of those movies that pulls at every last heart string and one in which we all have to admit that we shed a tear or two, heck, whimpered even. It’s a story about friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. The nostalgic bicycle scene is forever etched into our movie memory banks as we all can recall the shot of Elliott on his bike with E.T. in his basket wrapped in a white sheet flying over the woods casting a silhouette against a larger than life full moon.

BMX bikes at the time were becoming popular but this movie ignited a frenzy as every young child had to have one. In particular, the bike featured in the movie was a Kuwahara, supplied by a Japanese bicycle company. Originally Schwinn was chosen as the bike to be for the movie but the company decided it didn’t want to get involved with movie production. Uh, whoever made that decision I’m sure has kicked themselves 435,110,554 times for each dollar the movie has raked in and another four times for each Oscar it won. But nonetheless Kuwahara was the bike of choice. Steven Spielberg’s people and Kuwahara sat down with company representatives and they crafted the distinct red and white design. Universal Studios entered into an exclusive licensing deal and as soon as the movie was released the bikes were put into mass production with three different models available.

Moving on, let’s take a look at another American classic, PeeWee’s Big Adventure. Pee Wee Herman, known for his unmistakably distinct three syllable laugh and infamous double arm fist pump dance, finds himself in quite a predicament when he discovers his beloved Swirly Schwinn DX bicycle is stolen. He winds up on a cross-country journey in search of his bike, eager to apprehend the culprit while making a host of friends along the way. Anyone who has ever had a bike stolen can probably relate to Pee Wee’s determination and borderline obsession with recovering his bike.

There’s not much information about the Swirly Schwinn DX cruiser featured in the movie but when you take a look at the overall Schwinn brand it deserves all the acclaim as an American icon in its own right.

Schwinn bikes are best known for their large balloon tires (which have become industry standard), chrome fenders and horns and large saddles. In 1895, Ignaz Schwinn and his business partner Adolph Arnold formed Arnold, Schwinn & Company. They later went on to introduce the first built-in kickstand and in-home workout machines. Schwinn bikes hands down are the most recognizable in America.

There are other movie greats such as Breaking Away, which features a Red Masi, American Flyers featuring a Specialized Allez and the tale of a bicycle messenger in Quicksilver featuring the increasingly popular fixed gear bike.

The bicycle definitely deserves a place in the sea dubbed American pop culture when it comes to television as well. It’s evident when you think about the classic show Three’s Company as Jack Tripper and his two darling roommates invite you to “come and knock on their door” as they are shown strolling the boulevard on their 10-speeds before each show. Look closely the next time you watch another episode of the unforgettable sitcom comedy Seinfeld and you’ll see a Green Klein Mountain bike hanging on the wall in Jerry’s apartment.

We can’t escape it. There are dozens of examples that can be named. The bicycle forever has been and forever will be a foundational stone that has helped to build and create what we know as America.

It was once said to me, “If you have done nothing else in life it’s without any doubt that you’ve been on a bicycle at some point.”  So true.  You may have never played soccer or attempted 18 holes of golf but out of the thousands of activities we can involve ourselves in over a lifetime you’ll find very few people that will emit the words, “ I have never ridden a bike.”

We can all remember getting our first shiny new bike, equipped with a pair of training wheels of course, as a Christmas or birthday present and how excited we were to get going.   In my case it was a multicolored pink, white and powder blue Huffy complete with streamers that cascaded from the handlebars.  Then comes the moment of truth.  The moment when it is time to take those training wheels off and face the open road with no fear and show it what you are made of.  This seemed like the make or break time in all of our lives.  It was the time when we set our very first big goal, which was to transition from four wheels to two. Learning to ride a bike when we were younger was like a right of passage- a coming of age if you will.  It was more than just riding a bike.  It represented independence and freedom.

When I was about five years old I can remember when my dad removed the training wheels from my beloved Huffy.  My experience was much like the familiar memory I have of watching the Cosby Show when Cliff Huxtable taught Rudy how to ride her bike without her training wheels.  My dad hoisted me up and plopped me on the seat of my bike as I tried desperately to keep my balance.  As I peddled my dad jogged beside me, his hand clenched to the back of my seat making sure I was okay, offering the much needed reassurance that let me know that I can do this.  I was focused.  After a few yards my dad gave a warning that he was about to let go.  He proceeded to do so and I made it another few feet or so on my own before I felt my bike begin to tilt eastward and I collided with the grass that luckily lined the street.   I was a fighter though.  I sprung back up and was ready to go at it again.  My dad wasn’t the “babying” type so I knew I wasn’t going to get any sympathy from him.  I had to just dust myself off and try again.  We tackled the same routine of ride and fall about ten times with my learning curve greatly improving with each trial.

Then it happened.  My dad once again was guiding my bike and helping me to keep stable when he let go and I peddled like there was no tomorrow.  I was doing it.  I was really doing it!  I was riding my bike all on my own without my dad, without my training wheels.  It was all me!

The freedom I felt was amazing.  That day I had officially graduated from being a little kid to a big kid.  This same freedom carries into our adult lives.  When asked what they love most about cycling 75% of adults surveyed answered, “the freedom”.   Think about it.  When you’re out for a leisurely ride with your spouse and kids or out for a ride with your co-workers headed to lunch or training for your next Iron Man there’s something special about getting on a bike.  You sink all of your inhibitions and worries into that seat, those wheels and handlebars and just ride.  It’s much like when you’re a kid when there are no limitations, no fear.  It’s amazing how pivotal learning to ride a bike was for many of us and how the lessons we learned stick with us.  Maybe that’s why most of us can carve out such a clear memory of that time in our lives.  It’s something that connects us all and reminds us of our ability to conquer and most of all our ability to be free.