Top Cycling Tracks: Energize Your Ride with Whizz!

There’s nothing quite like an upbeat tune to raise spirits and keep the wheels spinning when your legs ache and your speed begins to drop. But if you happen to hit a roadblock when it comes to picking the next song, you can always turn to the cyclist community to point you in the right direction.

Whizz has analyzed 4,958 tracks from thirty popular Spotify playlists for cyclists to determine the most roadworthy rhythms.

From The Weeknd to Daddy Yankee, this playlist is bound to take you on a memorable ride!

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Selecting the best songs for cycling depends greatly on the type of ride you're planning and your personal music preferences. Here are suggestions for various cycling scenarios:

For High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or Sprints

Electronic/Dance: High BPM (Beats Per Minute) tracks from artists like Calvin Harris or David Guetta can boost your energy during intense sprints.
Rock: Fast-paced rock music with a strong beat, such as AC/DC or Foo Fighters, can help you push through challenging intervals.

For Long Distance Rides

Indie/Alternative: Bands like Imagine Dragons or The Killers offer a steady rhythm that can help maintain a consistent pace.
Classic Rock: Timeless tracks from artists like Bruce Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac can make long distances feel shorter.

For Uphill Climbs

Epic Soundtracks: Movie scores from films like "Rocky" or "Gladiator" can provide motivational boosts.
Heavy Metal: Bands like Metallica or Iron Maiden can give you the aggressive energy needed for climbing.

For Recovery Rides

Chillout/Electronic: Artists like Bonobo or Tycho offer a relaxed tempo, perfect for recovery days.
Acoustic/Folk: Listening to soothing voices and guitars from artists like Ben Howard or Fleet Foxes can help you wind down.

Playlist Tips

Customize Your Playlist: Tailor your playlist to match the length of your ride and include songs that progressively increase in intensity for interval training.
Explore New Genres: Sometimes, exploring genres you wouldn't normally listen to can bring a refreshing change and potentially enhance your riding experience.
Use Music Streaming Services: Platforms like Spotify or Apple Music have pre-made cycling playlists curated by tempo, genre, and activity type.

The top three songs on every rider’s cycling soundtrack

1. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”: >3.7bn plays

When it comes to popularity among cyclists, The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” is off the front, leading its closest competitors by 1.75 billion Spotify plays. It’s been almost four years since its release, yet it maintains its pole position with an energetic beat that matches the tempo of cycling, keeping riders motivated and helping them to maintain a steady pace. With a catchy and memorable chorus that you can’t help but sing along to, it’s the perfect track to distract from the aches and pains when you’re nearing the end of a long ride.

2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Can't Hold Us” (feat. Ray Dalton): >1.9bn plays

A classic in the cycling community, it’s been 12 long years since Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us” climbed the charts and its success still shows no signs of slowing down. It offers a busy beat that’s full of energy from start to finish — Perfect for keeping those legs pumping and wheels spinning. With lyrics that focus on breaking through barriers and not letting anything hold you back, it offers all the motivation cyclists need, providing them with a surge of energy to push them on, mile after mile.

3. Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa “One Kiss”: >1.9bn plays

Few artists do upbeat, high energy music better than Calvin Harris, so there’s no surprise he’s a favorite among cyclists looking to ride to the rhythm. Having racked up over 1.9 billion plays on Spotify, his 2018 anthem “One Kiss”, a collaboration with pop sensation Dua Lipa, will soon overtake Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in second place if it continues at its current pace. Whether you cycle for fun or work, its feel-good beat and positive lyrics serve as fuel to keep you going during particularly grueling rides and endless workdays.

A playlist to keep you pedaling: The 15 songs cyclists love to ride to

Cyclists seemingly aren’t very choosy when it comes to genres. The top 15 most-listened to song feature everything from Eminem’s hard-hitting rap track “Till I Collapse” to Lil Nas X’s country-inspired “Old Town Road”. But they all share one thing in common — A high energy beat and a BPM that matches riders’ high heart rate during an intense ride.

Throwbacks such as The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” may have racked up plenty of listens over the years, but these cycling classics have fallen off the pace when it comes to playlist features. Rather, it seems cyclists are keen to keep moving with the times. Today’s playlists are dominated by David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good” (2023), A7S & Topic’s “Breaking Me” (2020), and Nightcrawlers & Riton’s “Friday” (2021) all of which feature on seven playlists. However, it’s Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” (2021) that’s setting the pace, featuring on a total of nine playlists — and with 1.5bn plays already, it could soon ride ahead of The Weeknd, Macklemore and Calvin Harris to become cyclists’ go-to track.

Methodology: To create the study, we examined 4,958 tracks from thirty popular cycling playlists on Spotify and ranked each song by number of streams.

Source: Spotify

Detailed findings:

Song	Artist	# Of Playlists	# Of Plays
Blinding Lights	The Weeknd	4	3 720 754 011
Can't Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)	Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,Macklemore,Ryan Lewis,Ray Dalton	4	1 965 877 496
One Kiss (with Dua Lipa)	Calvin Harris,Dua Lipa	4	1 906 844 412
Roses - Imanbek Remix	SAINt JHN,Imanbek	5	1 790 403 669
Till I Collapse	Eminem,Nate Dogg	4	1 703 158 894
Cold Heart - PNAU Remix	Elton John,Dua Lipa,PNAU	3	1 618 818 320
Bad Habits	Ed Sheeran	9	1 563 084 466
Old Town Road	Lil Nas X	5	1 448 323 285
Pepas	Farruko	5	1 317 133 834
Con Calma	Daddy Yankee,Snow	3	1 239 190 647
Ride It	Regard	4	1 211 529 668
I Gotta Feeling	Black Eyed Peas	4	1 148 217 307
I'm Good (Blue)	David Guetta,Bebe Rexha	7	1 129 445 964
Call Me Maybe	Carly Rae Jepsen	3	1 109 873 735
Head & Heart (feat. MNEK)	Joel Corry,MNEK	4	1 086 034 640
The Business	Tiësto	5	1 066 579 496
Breaking Me	Topic,A7S	7	1 054 463 503
Centuries	Fall Out Boy	3	1 030 334 770
Friday (feat. Mufasa & Hypeman) - Dopamine Re-Edit	Riton,Nightcrawlers,Mufasa & Hypeman,Dopamine	7	867 537 354
Lose Control	MEDUZA,Becky Hill,Goodboys	4	851 330 661
Feel So Close - Radio Edit	Calvin Harris	3	787 073 151
Memories (feat. Kid Cudi)	David Guetta,Kid Cudi	4	739 441 443
Do It To It	ACRAZE,Cherish	4	679 044 300
The Motto	Tiësto,Ava Max	5	661 376 516
Don't Be Shy	Tiësto,KAROL G	6	571 829 017
All Around The World (La La La)	R3HAB,A Touch Of Class	5	563 288 572
One More Time	Daft Punk	5	521 925 153
Miss You	Oliver Tree,Robin Schulz	4	503 094 633
Ferrari	James Hype,Miggy Dela Rosa	6	468 791 493
BED	Joel Corry,RAYE,David Guetta	4	434 629 437
OUT OUT (feat. Charli XCX & Saweetie)	Joel Corry,Jax Jones,Charli XCX,Saweetie	5	430 521 800
Belly Dancer	Imanbek,BYOR	4	389 373 761
Call on Me - Radio Mix	Eric Prydz	4	364 944 737
Love Tonight (David Guetta Remix Edit)	Shouse,David Guetta	6	351 488 930
Lovefool	twocolors	5	328 790 824
Bad Memories (feat. Elley Duhé & FAST BOY)	MEDUZA,James Carter,Elley Duhé,FAST BOY	6	292 063 446
Crazy What Love Can Do	David Guetta,Becky Hill,Ella Henderson	3	290 241 952
Baianá	Bakermat	3	288 870 774
Move Your Body	Öwnboss,Sevek	4	270 624 819
My Heart Goes (La Di Da)	Becky Hill,Topic	4	243 514 145
21 Reasons (feat. Ella Henderson)	Nathan Dawe,Ella Henderson	3	218 012 313
In My Mind	Dynoro,Gigi D'Agostino	4	198 572 009
Baby Don't Hurt Me	David Guetta,Anne-Marie,Coi Leray	5	195 607 246
Lay Low	Tiësto	4	185 963 091
Clap Your Hands	Kungs	3	111 059 816
Back To You	Lost Frequencies,Elley Duhé,X Ambassadors	4	106 165 749
City Of Dreams - Radio Edit	Dirty South,Alesso,Ruben Haze	3	70 125 699
Call Me (with R3HAB & Timmy Trumpet)	Gabry Ponte,R3HAB,Timmy Trumpet	3	64 131 695
Crying On The Dancefloor	Sam Feldt,Jonas Blue,Endless Summer,Violet Days	3	46 420 761
Bullit - Radio Edit	Watermät	3	43 422 254

Why is music important for cycling?

Music can significantly enhance the cycling experience by providing motivation, improving mood, and helping maintain a steady pace. The right playlist can turn a routine ride into an exhilarating adventure.

What genres of music are best for cycling?

The best genre for cycling depends on personal preference and the nature of the ride. Upbeat genres like pop, rock, and electronic are popular choices for their energizing rhythms that can help keep cyclists motivated and pedaling at a consistent speed.

How do I choose songs for my cycling playlist?

When selecting songs for a cycling playlist, consider the tempo, rhythm, and how well they match your cycling pace. Look for tracks that motivate you and align with the intensity of your ride, whether it's a leisurely journey or an intense workout.

Can music impact my cycling performance?

Yes, music can positively affect your cycling performance by boosting your mood, reducing the perception of effort, and increasing endurance. Studies have shown that cyclists often perform better when listening to music that motivates them.

Are there any safety considerations when listening to music while cycling?

Safety should always be a priority. It's important to keep the volume at a level where you can still hear ambient sounds, like traffic and pedestrians. Consider using bone conduction headphones, which allow you to listen to music while keeping your ears open to your surroundings.