It was 1971 and American singer/songwriter Melanie rode to the top of the charts on a bicycle. Her folk/pop hit, “Brand New Key,” told the story of a self-propelled girl trying to attract the attention of a boy: “I ride my bike, I rollerskate, don’t drive no car.” Her lyrics are among 20 indelible quotes that celebrate the bicycle and — thanks to community partner Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty — adorn the right fenders of WE-cycle’s entire fleet of 250+ pedal bikes and e-bikes this season.

Photos: Craig Turpin, @risingsunphotog

The realty firm has been a champion of WE-cycle since the nonprofit’s first year, shortly after partner Ernie Fyrwald discovered bikeshare on a trip to Europe and came home wanting to be a part of this fun, healthy and environmental solution in his hometown. For their 2021 campaign, “Big Blue Goes Green,” Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty selected memorable quotes for their navy blue fenders, drawing on musicians, scientists, filmmakers, bike racers, politicians and intellectuals who extol the virtues of the bicycle. Albert Einstein reminds us that “[He] thought of that while riding my bicycle” — referring to a little concept known as the Theory of Relativity. English writer H.G. Wells takes a hopeful stance: “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” While Texas singer/songwriter Christopher Cross distills the experience down to the simplest of pleasures: “Ride like the wind.”

Collect inspiration this summer in Aspen, Basalt and Snowmass Village by keeping an eye out for the quotable fenders, a reminder to live life to the fullest — on a bicycle.

TOP 20 BIKE QUOTES

1. “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” John F. Kennedy
2. “If I can bicycle, I bicycle.” Sir David Attenborough
3. “I thought of that while riding my bicycle.” Albert Einstein
4. “Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.” Iris Murdoch
5. “Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.” Grant Petersen
6. “Ridin’ along on my pushbike, honey, when I noticed you.” The Mixtures
7. “Roller skating, jogging, or a fancy bike. You can get around most anyway you really like.” The Beach Boys
8. “I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.” Queen
9. “Let it ride.” Bachman-Turner Overdrive
10. “I ride my bike, I roller skate, don’t drive no car.” Melanie
11. “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” H.G. Wells
12. “Riding bicycles will not only benefit the individual doing it, but the world at large.” Udo E. Simonis
13. “Now I’m not gonna make a lot of extravagant claims for this little machine. Sure, it’ll change your whole life for the better, but that’s all.” Bicycle salesman, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
14. “Ride like the wind.” Christopher Cross
15. “With a bicycle like this, you’ll always be headed in the right direction.” Marc Johns
16. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
17. “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best.” Ernest Hemingway
18. “Whoever invented the bicycle deserves the thanks of humanity.” Lord Charles Beresford
19. “Bicyclists are heroes of the highway.” Petrol A. Wyatt
20. “As long as I’m riding a bike, I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” Mark Cavendish