Average Speed on A Bike

'What is the average speed on a bike' is one of the most common questions amongst beginners.
But this is also one of the hardest ones to answer. There are a lot of factors that come into play
that determines the speed of a cyclist on a bike. It may even surprise you to know that the
average speed on a bike differs from country to country. For example, in Holland, the average
speed for males is 26.92 km/h. While, in Spain, the average speed for males is 22.31 only.
However, if you are trying to find an average speed to compare yourself to, then you will be
disappointed to find out that average speed cannot be used as a reliable measure for
comparison. There are a lot of reasons for this.

The weather conditions

The average speed on a bike of someone riding in wet conditions will not be the same as
someone riding in clear weather. So, if someone says their average speed is 20 miles per hour
and yours is not. Do not get disheartened. That average speed means very little if you do not
know where they were riding. Other than that, wind also has a very significant impact on the
average speed of cyclists on a. Some locations are naturally exposed to frequent high winds.
Even gentle wind also affects the speed of bikes. Temperature also has a significant impact on
the average speed on a bike. Both extreme hot and cold weather will reduce the average speed
of cyclists.
The distance covered
The distance you ride will also affect your average speed. The average speed on rides rises and
then falls again with the increasing length of the rides. When you start the ride, you ride a bit
slower at the start. This is because your legs are getting warmed up. After your legs are warmed
up. Your average speed will increase. As you keep riding, your legs will get fatigued slowly and
your average speed will fall again. If you put it in a time perspective. One-hour rides will have a
lower average speed. Rides of one to two hours will have the highest average speed. After that,
the average speed will fall the longer you ride.
Cyclist age and experience
Both age and experience of the cyclist matter when comparing average speeds on a bicycle. Age
is important but the experience matters more when it comes to cycling. This is because of the
muscles in the human body. The longer you cycle, the more muscles you develop that help you
in act of cycling itself. Along with leg muscles, your heart and lungs will develop as well to keep
up with the stamina you need to cycle longer distances. This is why some 40-50-year-old cyclists
can beat 25-year-old cyclists in longer races. But in fast sprints or short bursts up a hill, the 25-
year-old cyclists will win.
The gears
Your bicycle and the gears you wear during rides will also affect your average speed on a bike.
The weight of the bicycle matters a lot. Carbon fiber bikes are a lot lighter than bikes with
frames made from other materials. People who have changed to carbon fiber bikes have seen a
5-10% rise in average speed. But this difference will only matter to the cyclists who are in great
shape and form. Some say that psychology also comes into play here. The psychological impact
of changing to a lighter and more expensive bike may increase your average speed as well. If
the cyclist is overweight himself/herself then saving a kilo or two on the bike will not help
much.
Groups
Solo average speeds differ by a lot with average speeds of cycling groups. This is because
cycling groups have a lot of other significant benefits than riding solo. As I said earlier, the wind
has a significant effect on average speeds. But when riding in groups, you can draft behind the
person in front of you. This means you will be facing minimal wind resistance because the
person in front of you is blocking the incoming wind. The more people in the group, the more
significant this effect is. Experiments have shown that the average speed of groups is 20-30%
more than solo riders.

Comparable Average Speeds

If you still want to know the average speeds of cyclists of different experience levels, here is a
list to give you an idea. These speeds are for flat terrains with favorable weather conditions

 For beginners riding short distances like 10-20 miles, an average speed of 12 miles per
hour is normal.
 For amateur riders riding short distances of 20-30 miles, an average speed of 15-16
miles per hour is normal.
 For experienced riders riding medium distances like 40 miles, an average speed of 16-19
miles per hour is normal.
  For competitive riders riding longer distances like 50-60 miles, an average speed of 20-
24 miles per hour is expected.
Again, do not let these numbers dishearten you. The conditions you are riding in matters more
than you think.