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How fast does average person ride a bike?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 19, 2026

The majority of riders can average a speed of about 15 mph on a one hour ride. A good speed for a beginner is 10 mph, but you should be able to get to 15 mph pretty quickly. If you start training every once in a while, you could get your average up to 18 mph, but training on a regular basis could get you to 22 mph.

What is a good average speed for a beginner cyclist?

Average Cycling Speed For Beginners

– A Beginner doing short-distance rides should expect to average around 12mph. This is based on how most beginners can average 10-12mph of limited training. – Riders with at least 6 months of riding behind them can expect to average between 15-16mph when riding between 20-30 miles.

Is 25 mph on a bike fast?

Professional bicycle racers can usually maintain 25-28 mph on flat ground. But for a beginning road cyclist, an average of 13.5 mph is very respectable, especially on a longer ride.

Is cycling better than running?

The number of calories you burn in either exercise depends on the intensity and length of time you do it. In general, running burns more calories than cycling because it uses more muscles. However, cycling is gentler on the body, and you may be able to do it longer or faster than you can run.

How fast do Olympic cyclists go?

Over the last several years, the winner of the tour has posted an overall average speed of right around 25mph (40kmph)–but that encompasses an entire tour. Uphill, downhill, time trial, flatland, it's all averaged at 25mph. A little faster than us. A little.

39 related questions found

Does biking burn belly fat?

Yes, cycling can help lose belly fat, but it will take time. A recent study showed regular cycling may enhance overall fat loss and promote a healthy weight. To reduce overall belly girth, moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, such as cycling (either indoor or outdoor), are effective to lower belly fat.

How fast should I bike a mile?

An average cyclist with a perfectly okay bike takes about 5 to 6 minutes to cover a whole mile. The average cycling speed is considered to be between 12 and 18mph. If you are a recreational cyclist, you cycle at about 8 to 10 mph. So, if you bike leisurely at 10mph it will take you about 6 minutes to cover one mile.

How do pro cyclists ride so fast?

But the other major way that professional cyclists go much faster than the rest of us in a race like the Tour de France is their expertise in drafting or slipstreaming. This is where they cycle "on the wheel" of the rider in front so they are protected from some of the air resistance.

What is the fastest speed on a bike?

On Sunday September 16, 2018, Denise Mueller-Korenek broke the bicycle land speed record of 167 mph, hitting 183.932 mph at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. This story about the engineering and logistics behind this crazed effort originally ran on Thursday, September 13.

What makes a bike fast?

Real racing bikes are fast because they use supple high-performance tires. Their frames flex just the right amount for a powerful rider. Racing bikes are fast because the rider has little wind resistance thanks to the low riding position, narrow handlebars, and tight-fitting clothing.

What is a good average speed on a mountain bike on road?

What Good Mountain Bike Average Speed? In general, for an average cyclist, 17 mph is considered a good average speed for a mountain bike on road, while on trails speed can drop dramatically to 14 mph due to the hard riding condition on these paths.

Is riding a bike harder than walking?

Cycling is more efficient than walking, so you'll probably work harder by walking briskly and probably exercise your heart, lungs and major muscles more. On the other hand, cycling is probably less hard on your hips, knees and ankles than walking.

Is 3 miles a long bike ride?

A person cycling on typical terrain with an average of 18 mph will cover 3 miles in 10-12 minutes. On the other hand, a regular rider biking on hilly terrain will take 20-24 minutes to cover 3 miles.

Can cycling get you abs?

Cycling doesn't build your abs directly, but it can help reveal your abs if it's coupled with a proper diet and some additional exercises. Riding the bike helps shred the fat that covers your abs.

Does cycling tone your bum?

One of the best benefits about cycling is that it really does make your ass look better. Your glutes will be stronger, more toned, and those stubborn fat deposits will begin to melt off, leaving you with a tight butt that looks great in those skin tight bike shorts.

Is cycling a full body workout?

What muscles are used in indoor cycling? Indoor cycling is a total-body workout and works all of the major muscle groups.

Is cycling 5 miles a day good?

Riding for five miles on a stationary bike can help you burn calories and contribute to your weight loss goal. To reach a sustainable weight loss goal of one to two pounds per week, you may need to supplement your five miles with additional cardio or adjustments to your diet.

How many calories do you burn cycling 6 miles?

Slower-Speed Cycling

This equates to 50 calories per mile or 350 calories every 7 miles. If you weigh 185 lbs. and cycle at the same speed you'll burn 59 calories per mile or 414 calories every 7 miles.

How long should I bike for a good workout?

Plan to get on your bike and ride for 30-60 minutes, 3-5 days a week. Start every ride with a warm-up. Pedal at a slow, easy pace for 5-10 minutes. Then boost your speed so you start to sweat.

Is cycling 10 miles a day good?

Biking is a great cardiovascular exercise. It is healthy for the heart as it gives a full body workout. In this case, biking is extremely beneficial. Biking 10 miles a day can make one healthier and boost their heart health substantially.

How much should I cycle a day to lose weight?

The length of time you ride and the intensity are the main factors in how many calories you burn. If you're starting with little or no activity, biking 15 minutes a day, or 30 minutes a few times a week, is an excellent way to improve health and will likely reduce your weight.

Is 20 mph on a bike fast?

More experienced, short-medium distance (say 20-30 miles): average 15-16 mph. Reasonable experience, medium (say 40 miles): average around 16-19 mph. Quite competent club rider, some regular training likely, medium-long distances (say 50-60 miles): 20-24 mph.

Is 10 mph a good cycling pace?

A beginner might struggle to keep up an average speed of 10mph/16kph over an hour or two on a road bike. Ride consistently and get fitter, and you should be able to maintain a mileage per hour in the mid-teens (around 15.5mph/25kph) over several hours – Strava reckons that's the average speed for rides logged.