October 4 is World Animal Day, a global celebration of animal rights and welfare. The movement began in 1925 when German writer Heinrich Zimmerman organized the first event in Berlin. By 1931, October 4 was officially recognized worldwide, chosen to coincide with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
Unlike days that focus on specific causes—like World Day for Laboratory Animals (April 24) or World Wildlife Day (March 3)—World Animal Day honors all creatures great and small. Today, it’s observed in nearly 100 countries, uniting voices across the globe in support of animals.
So why not bring this spirit of celebration into your cycling class? At ICA, we’ve created a massive Animal bucket playlist with 370+ tracks inspired by critters of every kind. ICA members can find that playlist at the end of this post. Additionally, we’ve also separated out our specialty pet playlists for International Pet Month where you can find the following additional bucket playlists:
- 🐱 Cats: 156 songs
- 🐶 Dogs/Wolves: 145 songs
- 🐦 Birds: 63 songs
- 🐴 Horses: 133 songs
You can mix and match songs for a “zoo ride,” design a barnyard theme, or take your class on a wild safari. Here are a few ideas to get you rolling:
Animals, Maroon 5, 3:51, 95 bpm
High energy and perfect for a fast flat. Riders will feed off the driving beat—great for testing endurance, a high-intensity interval, or even an FTP effort.
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley & The Wailers, 3:00, 150 bpm
The ultimate warm-up track. Its sunny vibe and reassuring “don’t worry” lyrics set the perfect tone for your ride.
Dark Horses, Switchfoot, 3:58, 82 bpm
A gritty rock anthem with built-in intensity changes. Ride hard from the start, back off briefly, then charge forward in intervals that mirror the song’s surges.
The Lion, the Beast, the Beat, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 5:28, 160/135 bpm
This track changes tempo partway through the song, offering recovery at the start before exploding into a powerful climb. Begin easy at 80 rpm, then add resistance, slow the cadence to 68 rpm, and hit a hard sustained climb when the beat drops at 1:40.
Wolves, Selena Gomez, Marshmellow, 3:18, 125 bpm
A pulsing electronic pop groove makes for a strong moderate climb. Have riders stand on the chorus as they “run with the wolves.”
Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream), Matchbox Twenty, 3:31, 88 bpm
A versatile track that works as a steady flat or an interval challenge. Its intensity makes it equally great for endurance and, yes, even an FTP test.
Hyena, R.E.M., 2:51, 87 bpm
Edgy alternative rock, perfect for a quick, moderate-to-high-intensity flat between climbs.
Me and My Arrow, Harry Nilsson, 2:05, 91 bpm
A gentle recovery track with a sweet backstory—it was written for Nilsson’s 1971 animated film The Point! about a boy named Oblio and his loyal dog, Arrow.
🐾 Whether you go for a barnyard mix, a ride through the jungle, or simply sprinkle in a few animal tracks, World Animal Day is the perfect excuse to get creative with your playlist.
How will you bring animals into your class today? Share your ideas below—we’d love to hear about your wild ride!
I love how this article creatively ties World Animal Day into cycling classes! The playlist ideas are fantastic for keeping students engaged, and it’s a fun way to celebrate animals while getting active. Great inspiration!