---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As an exercise bicycling is superior to…"
description: "\"“As an exercise bicycling is superior to most, if not all, others at our command. It takes one into the outdoor air; it is entirely under control; can ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/851/frances-e-willard-25037_bicycling_as-an-exercise-bicycling-is-superior-to_2334486.jpg"
---

#  As an exercise bicycling is superior to most, if not all…

![“As an exercise bicycling is superior to most, if not all, others at our command. It takes one into the outdoor air; it is entirely under control; can be made gentle or vigorous as one desires; is active and not passive; takes the rider outside of himself and the thoughts and cares of his daily…” quote by Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/851/frances-e-willard-25037_bicycling_as-an-exercise-bicycling-is-superior-to_2334486.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/851/frances-e-willard-25037_bicycling_as-an-exercise-bicycling-is-superior-to_2334486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/851/frances-e-willard-25037_bicycling_as-an-exercise-bicycling-is-superior-to_2334486.jpg)

> ““As an exercise bicycling is superior to most, if not all, others at our command. It takes one into the outdoor air; it is entirely under control; can be made gentle or vigorous as one desires; is active and not passive; takes the rider outside of himself and the thoughts and cares of his daily work; develops his will, his attention, his courage and independence; and makes pleasant what is otherwise irksome.””

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Cycling offers physical, mental, and moral benefits, providing control, freedom, and personal growth.

**In simple terms:** Cycling improves body and mind.

Key Takeaway

Ride regularly for health and confidence.

Themes

health freedom self‑discipline

Mood

active empowering

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- urban commuting
- recreational rides
- training sessions
- therapeutic outings

Key Concepts

physical fitness mental clarity independence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you adapt cycling to different conditions?
- What mental skills does cycling develop for you?

A Different Perspective

Weather or safety concerns can limit riding.

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[Bicycling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bicycling/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Daily work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-work/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm an avid bicyclist, so I catch some sun while I'm out bicycling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-muilenburg/i-m-an-avid-bicyclist-so-i-catch-some-sun-while-i-m-out-bicycling/)

[Dennis Muilenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-muilenburg/)

> [Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye-the-science-guy/bicycling-is-a-big-part-of-the-future-it-has-to-be-there-s-something/)

Bill Nye The Science Guy

> [Bicycling unites physical harmony coupled with emotional bliss to create a sense of spiritual perfection that combines one's body, mind and spirit into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frosty-wooldridge/bicycling-unites-physical-harmony-coupled-with-emotional-bliss-to/)

[Frosty Wooldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frosty-wooldridge/)

> [Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/let-me-tell-you-what-i-think-of-bicycling-i-think-it-has-done-more-to/)

[Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/)

> [“In 1895, Ann Strong declared in the Minneapolis Tribune that bicycles were "just as good company as most husbands" and that when a bicycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/in-1895-ann-strong-declared-in-the-minneapolis-tribune-that-bicycles/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [“Another writer argued in an 1895 issue of the Cosmopolitan that by riding a bicycle, a woman would "become mistress of herself," transformed into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/another-writer-argued-in-an-1895-issue-of-the-cosmopolitan-that-by/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [“That which caused the many failures I had in learning the bicycle had caused me failures in life; namely, a certain fearful looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/that-which-caused-the-many-failures-i-had-in-learning-the-bicycle-had/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [Let us bequeath our children more than the gadgets that surround us. If bicycling can be restored to the daily life of all Americans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dudley-white/let-us-bequeath-our-children-more-than-the-gadgets-that-surround-us/)

[Paul Dudley White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dudley-white/)

> [Most inspiration still comes from bicycling around San Francisco. This city never fails to inspire me. It is one of the most vibrant cities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/most-inspiration-still-comes-from-bicycling-around-san-francisco-this/)

[Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/)

> [Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/let-me-tell-you-what-i-think-of-bicycling-i-think-it-has-done-more-to-2/)

[Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/)

> [“The art of bicycling is a purely mechanical attainment; and though its complications may at first seem hopeless, sufficient practice will result in final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-joinson/the-art-of-bicycling-is-a-purely-mechanical-attainment-and-though-its/)

Suzanne Joinson

> [“A human on a bicycle is more efficient (in calories expended per pound and per mile) than a train, truck, airplane, boat, automobile, motorcycle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sightline-institute/a-human-on-a-bicycle-is-more-efficient-in-calories-expended-per-pound/)

Sightline Institute

> [“A universal truth of bicycling is this - pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn/a-universal-truth-of-bicycling-is-this-pain-is-inevitable-suffering/)

Robert Penn

> [San Francisco deserves to be a great bicycling city where every day is Bike to Work Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/san-francisco-deserves-to-be-a-great-bicycling-city-where-every-day/)

[London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/)

> [I learned to basically pull my own weight, just do my own thing. I spent a lot of time alone and I loved it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-learned-to-basically-pull-my-own-weight-just-do-my-own-thing-i/)

[Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/)

## More by Frances E. Willard

> [Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/temperance-is-moderation-in-the-things-that-are-good-and-total/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [“The opacity of the mind, its inability to project itself into the realm of another's personality, goes a long way to explain the friction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/the-opacity-of-the-mind-its-inability-to-project-itself-into-the/)

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> [“Another writer argued in an 1895 issue of the Cosmopolitan that by riding a bicycle, a woman would "become mistress of herself," transformed into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/another-writer-argued-in-an-1895-issue-of-the-cosmopolitan-that-by/)

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> [In externals we advance with lightening express speed, in modes of thought and sympathy we lumber on in stage-coach fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/in-externals-we-advance-with-lightening-express-speed-in-modes-of/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [This seems to be the law of progress in everything we do; it moves along a spiral rather than a perpendicular; we seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/this-seems-to-be-the-law-of-progress-in-everything-we-do-it-moves/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [“We contended that whatever diminishes the sense of superiority in men makes them more manly, brotherly, and pleasant to have about; we felt sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/we-contended-that-whatever-diminishes-the-sense-of-superiority-in-men/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/the-world-is-wide-and-i-will-not-waste-my-life-in-friction-when-it/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [I finally concluded that all failure was from a wobbling will rather than a wobbling wheel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/i-finally-concluded-that-all-failure-was-from-a-wobbling-will-rather/)

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> [God is action - let us be like God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/god-is-action-let-us-be-like-god/)

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> [If women can organize missionary societies, temperance societies, and every kind of charitable organization... why not permit them to be ordained to preach the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/if-women-can-organize-missionary-societies-temperance-societies-and/)

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> [“That which caused the many failures I had in learning the bicycle had caused me failures in life; namely, a certain fearful looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/that-which-caused-the-many-failures-i-had-in-learning-the-bicycle-had/)

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[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

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[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [If I am asked to explain why I learned the bicycle I should say I did it as an act of grace, if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/if-i-am-asked-to-explain-why-i-learned-the-bicycle-i-should-say-i-did/)

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[Explore all 23 Frances E. Willard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

## More Bicycling quotes

> [I'm an avid bicyclist, so I catch some sun while I'm out bicycling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-muilenburg/i-m-an-avid-bicyclist-so-i-catch-some-sun-while-i-m-out-bicycling/)

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> [Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/let-me-tell-you-what-i-think-of-bicycling-i-think-it-has-done-more-to/)

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> [San Francisco deserves to be a great bicycling city where every day is Bike to Work Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/san-francisco-deserves-to-be-a-great-bicycling-city-where-every-day/)

[London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/)

> [I learned to basically pull my own weight, just do my own thing. I spent a lot of time alone and I loved it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-learned-to-basically-pull-my-own-weight-just-do-my-own-thing-i/)

[Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/)

> [Bicycling unites physical harmony coupled with emotional bliss to create a sense of spiritual perfection that combines one's body, mind and spirit into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frosty-wooldridge/bicycling-unites-physical-harmony-coupled-with-emotional-bliss-to/)

[Frosty Wooldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frosty-wooldridge/)

> [“Another writer argued in an 1895 issue of the Cosmopolitan that by riding a bicycle, a woman would "become mistress of herself," transformed into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/another-writer-argued-in-an-1895-issue-of-the-cosmopolitan-that-by/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [“A universal truth of bicycling is this - pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn/a-universal-truth-of-bicycling-is-this-pain-is-inevitable-suffering/)

Robert Penn

> [Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye-the-science-guy/bicycling-is-a-big-part-of-the-future-it-has-to-be-there-s-something/)

Bill Nye The Science Guy

> [“A human on a bicycle is more efficient (in calories expended per pound and per mile) than a train, truck, airplane, boat, automobile, motorcycle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sightline-institute/a-human-on-a-bicycle-is-more-efficient-in-calories-expended-per-pound/)

Sightline Institute

> [“The art of bicycling is a purely mechanical attainment; and though its complications may at first seem hopeless, sufficient practice will result in final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-joinson/the-art-of-bicycling-is-a-purely-mechanical-attainment-and-though-its/)

Suzanne Joinson

> [Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/let-me-tell-you-what-i-think-of-bicycling-i-think-it-has-done-more-to-2/)

[Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/)

> [“That which caused the many failures I had in learning the bicycle had caused me failures in life; namely, a certain fearful looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/that-which-caused-the-many-failures-i-had-in-learning-the-bicycle-had/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

> [Most inspiration still comes from bicycling around San Francisco. This city never fails to inspire me. It is one of the most vibrant cities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/most-inspiration-still-comes-from-bicycling-around-san-francisco-this/)

[Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/)

> [Let us bequeath our children more than the gadgets that surround us. If bicycling can be restored to the daily life of all Americans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dudley-white/let-us-bequeath-our-children-more-than-the-gadgets-that-surround-us/)

[Paul Dudley White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dudley-white/)

> [“In 1895, Ann Strong declared in the Minneapolis Tribune that bicycles were "just as good company as most husbands" and that when a bicycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-e-willard/in-1895-ann-strong-declared-in-the-minneapolis-tribune-that-bicycles/)

[Frances E. Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-e-willard/)

[Browse all 33 Bicycling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bicycling/)

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