# Light Cycle

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Fictional motorcycle

Light Cycle Tron vehicle Light Cycle (1st generation) First appearance Tron Created by Syd Mead General characteristics Population volume 1

The **Light Cycle** is a type of fictional [motorcycle](/source/Motorcycle) featured in the *[Tron](/source/Tron_(franchise))* franchise. First introduced in the film *[Tron](/source/Tron)*, they are used as part of a deadly virtual game conducted by the villainous [Master Control Program](/source/Master_Control_Program_(Tron)). In it, players must ride around an arena without crashing into each other, the outer walls, or the light trails (known as Jetwalls, and later, Light Ribbons) left behind by the vehicles. Subsequent generations of Light Cycles appeared in later works of media.

Following its appearance in *Tron*, the Light Cycle became a fixture of popular culture. The first Light Cycle sequence was also seen as a pioneering moment in [computer graphics](/source/Computer_graphics) that inspired later works.

## Characteristics

Example of light trails created by two Light Cycles

Light Cycles are virtual and futuristic motorcycles that materialize from thin air, starting with the handlebars.[1] They are neon-colored and move at extreme levels of speed. They are only able to turn at [right angles](/source/Right_angle), creating blocky trails of color. The arena in which they are used features a white grid on black ground, marking the distance the Light Cycles travel.[2]

Starting with *[Tron: Legacy](/source/Tron%3A_Legacy)*, the newer Light Cycles gained the ability to drive in 360 directions, removing the 90 degree limitation seen in the first generation Light Cycles, and allowing the trails generated behind them to bend at any angle.

## Development

Light Cycles were designed by artist [Syd Mead](/source/Syd_Mead). They were initially rendered digitally.[1] The Light Cycle sequence in *Tron* was developed by [MAGi](/source/Mathematical_Applications_Group) in [Westchester County, New York](/source/Westchester_County%2C_New_York). It takes place over a length of about three minutes, which is interspersed with one minute of live-action footage.[3]

For *Tron: Legacy*, the Light Cycle was redesigned by [Daniel Simon](/source/Daniel_Simon).[4] Five prop Light Cycles were built in real life, with four of them being destroyed post-production. The final one was purchased by Xiao Yu, a collector based in [Nanjing, China](/source/Nanjing); however, he was told by the authorities that it was not street-legal.[5]

## Reception

Light Cycles became well known in popular culture, and have been called symbols of [futurism](/source/Futurism) and [posthumanism](/source/Posthumanism). In an analysis, author Esperanza Miyake interpreted the Light Cycles of the original *Tron* as representations of male power: only men get the chance to ride them, while the sole female character, Yori, does not. Their speed showed male dominance and control over technology, representing the means to "escape".[6]

## Legacy

The Light Cycle sequence inspired [John Lasseter](/source/John_Lasseter), who was then working at [Disney](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company), to enter computer animation; he went on to direct *[Toy Story](/source/Toy_Story)*, crediting its creation to *Tron*.

The Light Cycle design served as the basis for a roller coaster called [*Tron* Lightcycle Power Run](/source/Tron_Lightcycle_Power_Run), which opened in [Shanghai Disneyland](/source/Shanghai_Disneyland) in 2016[7] and [Magic Kingdom](/source/Magic_Kingdom) in 2023, the latter in which it is known as *Tron* Lightcycle / Run.[8][9][10]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Patterson,_Richard_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Patterson,_Richard_1-1) Patterson, Richard (August 1982). "The Making of *Tron*". *[American Cinematographer](/source/American_Cinematographer)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Curtis, Scott (2019). *Animation*. Alla Gadassik, Andrew Johnston, Bob Rehak, Kevin Sandler, Susan Ohmer. Rutgers University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780813572789](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780813572789).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_3-0)** Smith, Alvy Ray (2021). *A Biography of the Pixel*. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. p. 407. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-262-54245-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-262-54245-6). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1163953124](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1163953124).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Out of this world"](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/out-of-this-world). *Wired UK*. 2011-10-01. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1357-0978](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1357-0978). Retrieved 2022-03-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Westbrook, Caroline (2014-07-25). ["This man owns a real life Tron light cycle"](https://metro.co.uk/2014/07/25/this-man-spent-his-life-savings-on-a-tron-light-cycle-theres-just-one-slight-problem-4810519/). *Metro*. Retrieved 2022-03-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_6-0)** Miyake, Esperanza (2018). *The Gendered Motorcycle: Representations in Society, Media and Popular Culture*. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-83860-937-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-83860-937-5). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1090540642](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1090540642).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Pimental, Joseph (April 12, 2016). ["Photos: Shanghai Disneyland will have a familiar feel"](http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-711824-park-shanghai.html). *[The Orange County Register](/source/Orange_County_Register)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160822154024/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-711824-park-shanghai.html) from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Diller, Nathan (January 10, 2023). ["The long-awaited TRON Lightcycle / Run will open at Disney World on April 4"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2023/01/10/disney-world-tron-lightcycle/11022309002/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230110215218/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2023/01/10/disney-world-tron-lightcycle/11022309002/) from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Save the Date: TRON: Lightcycle / Run Disney Cast Life Preview Registration Opens January 30!"](https://wdprhubsites.disney.com/wdw-cast/2023/01/18/save-the-date-tron-lightcycle-run-disneycastlife-preview-registration-opens-jan-30/). *wdprhubsites*. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** McOmber, Sara (January 19, 2023). ["DATES ANNOUNCED for TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Previews in Disney World"](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2023/01/18/dates-announced-for-tron-lightcycle-run-cast-member-previews-in-disney-world/). *disneyfoodblog*. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

v t e Tron Films Tron (1982) Legacy (2010) Ares (2025) Television Uprising (2012–13) Video games Official Tron Maze-A-Tron Deadly Discs Discs of Tron Adventures of Tron Solar Sailer Tron 2.0 Space Paranoids Evolution Battle Grids Tron RUN/r Identity Catalyst Unofficial Armagetron Advanced GLtron Related Kingdom Hearts series II Dream Drop Distance Disney Infinity 3.0 Disney Mirrorverse Music Tron Legacy "Derezzed" Legacy Reconfigured Uprising Ares "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" Ares: Divergence Comics The Ghost in the Machine Betrayal Attractions ElecTRONica PeopleMover Lightcycle Power Run Related Characters Light Cycle Tron: Legacy (pinball) MAGI Triple-I Jay Maynard Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Light Cycle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Cycle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Cycle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.