The Desperate Bicycles were an English punk group who released a series of independent recordings in the late 1970s and inspired many other bands to do likewise. The Desperate Bicycles pioneered the do-it-yourself ethic of punk, adopting a proselytising role exemplified by their slogan "it was easy, it was cheap - go and do it!"

The Desperate Bicycles formed in March 1977 "specifically for the purpose of recording and releasing a single on their own label".^[1]. The band initially consisted of Nicky Stephens (keyboards), Roger Stephens (bass), Danny Wigley (vocals), and a guitarist and drummer.^[2] They booked a studio in Dalston for three hours and "with a lot of courage and a little rehearsal" they recorded two songs, “Smokescreen” and “Handlebars”.^[1] Their intention was to see how cheaply they could record and release music.^{[citation needed]} The result was the single "Smokescreen" released in an edition of 500 on their newly formed Refill label, costing them £153. The single was re-pressed in an edition of 1000 and sold out in a fortnight.

Their second release, "The Medium Was Tedium" / "Don't Back The Front", was released in an edition of 1000 and sold out in a week. The song's repeated refrain "it was easy, it was cheap go and do it!" was a call to arms to similarly inclined DIY punks. The sleeve listed the names of some of those who had purchased the first single.^{[citation needed]}

In 1978 the band released the "New Cross New Cross" EP, and two 7"s; "Occupied Territory" and "Grief Is Very Private".

In 1980 Papworth and Stephens were replaced by Dan Electro (guitar) and Jeff Titley (drums), and the Remorse Code album was released, reaching number 10 on the UK Indie Chart.^[3] The band split up in 1981.

• Smokescreen 7" single (Refill Records #1; 1977) - "Smokescreen" / "Handlebars".
• The Medium was Tedium 7" single (Refill Records #2; 1977) - "The Medium was Tedium" / "Don't Back the Front".
• New Cross, New Cross 7" EP (Refill Records #3; 1978) - "(I Make the) Product" / "Paradise Lost" / "Advice on Arrest" / "Holidays" / "The Housewife Song" / "Cars".
• Occupied Territory 7" single (Refill Records #4; 1978) - "Occupied Territory" / "Grief Is Very Private".
• Remorse Code LP (Refill Records #6; 1979) – “I Am Nine” / “Walking the Talking Channel” / “A Can of Lemonade” / “Pretty Little Analyse” / “Acting” / “It’s Somebody’s Birthday Today” / “Sarcasm” / “Trendy Feelings” / “Natural History” / “Blasting Radio”.
• Grief is Very Private EP (Refill Records #7; 1980) – “Grief is Very Private” / Obstructive” / “Conundrum”.

• Cover art and mp3s
• Essay on the Desperate Bicycles and Scritti Politti