How fast do cyclists go? Most people ride a bicycle at an average cycling speed of about 10 to 14 miles per hour. This is a typical bike speed for someone riding for fun or getting around town. But this number changes a lot. Many things affect how fast you can ride. Your speed depends on who you are, the bike you use, and where you ride. Let’s look at the different speeds people ride.
Image Source: roadbikebasics.com
What is the Average Cycling Speed?
The average speed on a bike is not just one number. It is different for different riders and different places. For someone riding easy on a flat path, the average mph bike ride might be slower. For someone riding a road bike on a smooth road, it might be faster. The average cycling speed most people talk about is for basic riding. This is not for racing. It is for going to the store or enjoying a ride.
Different Types of Riders Have Different Speeds
Riders are not all the same. Some ride a little. Some ride a lot. This makes their speeds different.
Recreational Rider Speed
What is a recreational cyclist speed? This is someone who rides for fun. They might go out on weekends. Or they ride after work. They are not trying to go fast. They ride to see places. They ride to feel good. Their speed is often between 10 and 12 mph. They might stop to look at things. They might ride with friends and talk. This speed feels easy for most people.
Commuter Speed
What is a commuter cycling speed? This is someone who rides to work or school. They ride often. They want to get there on time. They might ride faster than a recreational rider. They might ride between 12 and 15 mph. But they stop for lights and signs. Traffic can slow them down. Hills can make them slower too. They ride in different weather. So their speed can change day to day.
Beginner Speed
What is a beginner bike speed? If you are new to riding, your speed will be slower. You are learning how to ride well. You are building strength. A beginner might ride between 8 and 10 mph. This speed lets you feel safe. You can control your bike better. You can watch the road. Your body is getting used to riding. Speed will come later as you ride more.
Experienced Rider Speed
What is an experienced cyclist speed? These riders have ridden for many years. They ride often. They might ride many miles each week. They are strong riders. They know how to ride smoothly. Their speed is usually higher. It could be between 15 and 18 mph. Some experienced riders go even faster. They can keep a good speed for a long time. They might ride on faster bikes.
Road Bike Speed
What is an average speed road bike ride? Road bikes are made for speed. They are light. They have thin tires. Riders on road bikes often go faster. An average speed road bike rider might go between 15 and 18 mph. If they are training or riding in a group, they might go over 20 mph. But this is for riders using a road bike on a smooth road. It is not the speed for all bikes.
Here is a simple look at speeds:
| Rider Type | Typical Speed Range (mph) |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 8 – 10 |
| Recreational | 10 – 12 |
| Commuter | 12 – 15 |
| Experienced | 15 – 18+ |
| Road Bike (Avg) | 15 – 18 |
This table shows what most people can expect. Your speed will fit into one of these groups based on how you ride.
Why Speeds Vary So Much
Many things change how fast you ride. It is not just how hard you pedal. These are called factors affecting cycling speed. Let’s look at what makes your speed faster or slower.
The Rider’s Fitness and Skill
Your body matters a lot. If you ride often, your legs get strong. Your heart gets strong. You can pedal longer without getting tired. This helps you keep a higher average cycling speed. How you pedal also helps. Smooth circles with your feet use less energy. This lets you go faster or further. Learning how to shift gears at the right time helps too. A skilled rider uses less energy to go the same speed as a new rider. This makes their typical bike speed higher.
The Bike Itself
The type of bike you have makes a big difference.
* Road bikes: Light frame, thin tires. Made for speed on smooth roads. Higher average speed road bike is normal.
* Mountain bikes: Heavy frame, thick tires. Made for riding on dirt and rocks. Slower on roads.
* Hybrid bikes: Mix of road and mountain bikes. Good for many places. Speed is in the middle.
* Cruiser bikes: Heavy, comfy seat, wide tires. Made for slow, relaxed rides. Lower speed.
The weight of the bike matters too. A lighter bike is easier to pedal up hills. It is easier to get going. The tires on your bike matter a lot. Thin, smooth tires roll faster on pavement. Thick, bumpy tires are slower but grip dirt better. Keeping your bike in good shape helps too. Clean chain, pumped tires, and working gears make riding easier and faster. This helps your average mph bike ride.
The Terrain and Surface
Where you ride changes your speed a lot.
* Flat roads: Easiest to keep a steady speed. Fastest speeds are here.
* Hills: Going up hills is slow and hard. Going down hills can be very fast. Hills make your average speed lower for the whole ride.
* Rough roads: Potholes, cracks, or bumpy paths slow you down. You have to ride slower to be safe.
* Dirt or gravel: These surfaces are softer. Your tires sink in a little. It takes more work to ride here. Speeds are slower than on pavement.
* Wind: Wind pushing against you (headwind) makes you much slower. Wind pushing you along (tailwind) makes you faster. Crosswinds can be tricky to ride in. Wind is a big factor affecting cycling speed.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather slows you down.
* Rain: Makes roads wet and slippery. You have to ride slower to be safe when turning or stopping. Raincoats can catch wind.
* Cold: Cold air can be harder to breathe. Your muscles might feel stiff. You wear more clothes which can be heavy and catch wind.
* Heat: Riding in hot weather can make you tired faster. You need to drink more water. This can slow you down over time.
Traffic and Stops
If you ride where there are cars or people, you will stop. Stop lights, stop signs, crosswalks, or just waiting for cars. Each stop makes your average speed for the whole trip lower. Commuter cycling speed is often lower than it could be because of stopping. Riding on paths with no stops lets you keep a steady, faster speed.
How You Feel That Day
Sometimes you feel strong and ready to ride fast. Other days you might feel tired. Maybe you did not sleep well. Maybe you are a little sick. How you feel changes how much power you can put into pedaling. This changes your speed for that ride. Even experienced cyclists have slower days. Your mood can also play a part. If you just want a relaxed ride, you go slower.
How to Measure Your Cycling Speed
If you want to know your typical bike speed, you can measure it. Knowing your speed can help you see if you are getting faster. It can help you plan rides.
Using a Bike Computer
A bike computer is a small screen that attaches to your handlebars. A sensor goes on your bike’s fork. A magnet goes on a spoke of your wheel. Every time the wheel turns, the magnet passes the sensor. The computer knows how big your wheel is. It counts how many times it turns. It uses this to figure out your speed and how far you went. Some bike computers also show your average cycling speed for the ride. This is a good way to see how fast you are riding right now and overall.
Using a Smartphone App
Many apps for smartphones use GPS to track your ride. You start the app when you start riding. It uses your phone’s GPS to know where you are and how fast you are moving. These apps can show you your current speed, average speed for the ride, distance, and even maps of where you went. Popular apps include Strava, Komoot, and MapMyRide. You need a way to carry your phone safely while riding.
Simple Math
You don’t need gadgets to find your average speed. You just need to know two things:
1. The distance you rode.
2. The time it took you to ride that distance.
The math is: Speed = Distance / Time.
For example, if you rode 15 miles in 1 hour, your speed was 15 mph. If you rode 10 miles in 1 hour and 15 minutes (1.25 hours), your speed was 10 / 1.25 = 8 mph. You need a way to measure distance (like mile markers on a path or a map) and time (like a watch or phone). This gives you your average mph bike ride for that trip.
How to Get Faster on Your Bike
Maybe you want your average cycling speed to go up. Getting faster takes time and practice. Here are some simple ways to help you get faster.
Ride More Often
This is the best way to improve. The more you ride, the stronger you get. Your body gets better at using energy. Try to ride a few times each week. Even short rides help. Regular riding builds your fitness. This is key to increasing your typical bike speed.
Ride Longer
Once you ride often, try riding further. Or ride for a longer time. This helps your body last longer without getting tired. Riding longer builds your stamina. Stamina helps you keep a good average mph bike ride for the whole trip, not just the start.
Try Hills
Hills are hard work. Riding hills makes your leg muscles very strong. It also makes your heart and lungs work harder. This is good training. Ride hills you find on your route. Or find a hilly place to ride. Riding hills makes riding on flat ground feel easier. This helps your speed.
Work on Your Pedaling
Think about how you pedal. Try to make smooth circles. Push down on one side, then pull up with the other foot. This uses more muscles in your leg. It also uses less energy than just pushing down. Practice pedaling faster in an easier gear. This is called cadence. A higher, smooth cadence is better than pushing slowly in a hard gear.
Check Your Bike
Make sure your bike is working well.
* Tire pressure: Keep your tires filled to the right pressure. Flat tires make riding much harder and slower.
* Chain: Keep your chain clean and oiled. A dirty, dry chain wastes energy.
* Gears: Make sure your gears shift smoothly. Use your gears to keep pedaling easy, no matter the hill.
A bike that works well is easier to ride fast. It makes your effort count more. This helps your average speed.
Setting Realistic Speed Goals
It is good to want to get faster. But set goals that make sense. Don’t expect to go from 10 mph to 20 mph in one week. Getting faster takes time. Be happy with small steps. Maybe try to add 1 mph to your average speed over a few months. Or try riding a route a little faster each time. Compare your speeds from the same ride. This shows your progress. It is more helpful than just looking at one number. Remember that factors affecting cycling speed like wind or hills will always change your speed. Some days will be slower than others. That is normal.
Common Cycling Speeds at a Glance
Let’s put it all together with speeds you might see.
| Rider Type | Speed Style | What It Means | Average Speed Example (mph) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Easy Going | Just starting out, building skill | 8-10 | Focus on balance and control |
| Recreational | Leisurely | Riding for fun, scenic routes | 10-12 | Comfortable pace, might stop often |
| Commuter | Steady Pace | Riding to a place, dealing with stops | 12-15 | Needs to get there, handles traffic |
| Experienced | Regular Rider | Rides often, good fitness | 15-18 | Can hold speed for longer rides |
| Road Cyclist | Faster Pace | Riding road bike on pavement | 15-18+ | Speed is a goal, often trains |
| Group Rider | Drafting Speed | Riding close behind others | 18-25+ | Benefits from less wind resistance |
| Racing Cyclist | Very Fast | Training or competing | 20-30+ | High fitness, specialized bikes, fast |
This table shows a range. Your speed depends on many things. Your personal average mph bike ride might be different. But this gives you an idea of typical bike speed for different kinds of riding.
Wrapping It Up
So, how fast does the average person ride a bicycle? Most people ride between 10 and 14 mph for normal rides. This is the average cycling speed you will see most often for recreational and commuter riding. But this speed is just a guide. Your own speed depends on many things. Your fitness, your bike, the ground you ride on, the weather, and if you have to stop. All these are factors affecting cycling speed.
Don’t worry too much about riding super fast when you start. It is more important to ride safely and enjoy it. As you ride more, your beginner bike speed will go up. You will become a stronger recreational cyclist. Maybe you will try commuting. Or even get a road bike and find your average speed road bike pace. Riding a bike is fun. It is good for you. Your speed will get better as you ride more. Just get out there and pedal!
Questions People Ask
Is 20 mph fast on a bike?
Yes, 20 mph is quite fast for most casual riders. It is faster than the typical bike speed for recreational riders and many commuters. Riding at 20 mph takes good fitness and usually a road bike on flat ground with no stops.
How does wind affect cycling speed?
Wind has a big effect. Riding into a strong wind (headwind) can slow you down a lot, maybe by several mph. Riding with the wind (tailwind) can make you much faster. Wind from the side (crosswind) can make it hard to ride straight.
What is a good speed for a bike workout?
This depends on what you want from the workout. For a steady, easy ride, 12-15 mph might be a good pace to build endurance. For faster training, short bursts or longer periods at 18-25 mph or higher can build speed and strength. It is different for each person’s fitness level.
How does tire pressure affect speed?
Proper tire pressure makes a big difference. Tires that are too soft create more drag. This makes it harder to pedal and slower. Tires pumped to the right pressure roll faster and easier. Check your tire’s side for the suggested pressure.
Are electric bikes faster?
Electric bikes (e-bikes) have a motor that helps you pedal. They make it easier to go faster, especially up hills or against the wind. Many e-bikes help you up to a certain speed, like 20 mph or 28 mph. They can help riders keep a higher average speed with less effort compared to riding a regular bike.
How does riding in a group change speed?
Riding in a group, especially close behind other riders (drafting), can help you go faster. The riders in front block the wind for the riders behind them. This saves energy. Groups can often ride several mph faster than a single rider on their own, maintaining a higher average cycling speed.