Cycling is a great way to get exercise, and it’s also a fun way to travel.
If you’re looking to increase your cycling speed, it’s important first to know the average speeds by age.
This information can help you set realistic goals and give you an idea of what to expect as you progress in your cycling career.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some charts that show the average cycling speed by age.
Average Cycling Speed: What Is It About?
How fast do people cycle on average? What are the factors that affect your cycling speed?
We first need to understand the average cycling speed to answer these questions. Simply put, it’s the average speed of a cyclist over a certain distance.
This can be measured in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Many factors can affect average cycling speed.
One of the most important is the terrain. Flat roads allow cyclists to travel at higher speeds than hilly roads.
Weather conditions can also play a role, with wind and rain slowing cyclists down.
Age and experience are also important factors. Your cycling speed decreases as you get older.
Young cyclists typically have faster average speeds than older cyclists. The fastest cyclists are typically in their 20s or 30s.
What are the Average Cycling Speeds for Different Ages?
| Age | Average Cycling Speed (km/h) | Average Cycling Speed (mph) |
| 20-25 | 40 | 25 |
| 26-35 | 32 | 20 |
| 36-45 | 28 | 17 |
| 46-55 | 18 | 11 |
| 55 Above | 12 | 7 |
How fast do people cycle at different ages? And what are the average cycling speeds for different age groups?
There’s no definitive answer to that question, as the speed at which someone cycles depends on various factors (as discussed).
However, the average cycling speed for adults is 26 km/h or 15 mph.
Of course, there are variations within these averages – older adults may cycle more slowly than younger adults, and heavier people may cycle more slowly than lighter ones.
But the figures in the table above give a general idea of the speeds at which people typically cycle.
What’s the Average Cycling Speed for Men?
| Country | Average Cycling Speed (km/h) | Average Cycling Speed (mph) |
| Holland | 26.92 | 17 |
| UK | 25.61 | 16 |
| France | 24.36 | 15 |
| USA | 24.35 | 15 |
| Germany | 23.28 | 14 |
| Spain | 22.31 | 14 |
According to the Strava data, men’s average cycling speed varies depending on each country. The average male American rides at an average speed of 24.35 km/h (15 mp/h).
The fastest male cyclists are from Holland, with an average cycling speed of 26.92 km/h (17 mp/h).
What’s the Average Cycling Speed for Women?
| Country | Average Cycling Speed (km/h) | Average Cycling Speed (mph) |
| Holland | 21.36 | 13 |
| UK | 20.74 | 13 |
| France | 20.51 | 13 |
| USA | 19.94 | 13 |
| Germany | 19.86 | 12 |
| Spain | 19.84 | 12 |
The average American woman only rides 19.94 km/h or 13 mph. Based on the data, men cycle faster than women.
This is also the case for women in Holland, UK, France, Germany, and Spain.
There are many reasons why cycling might be faster for men than women.
One possibility is that men have more muscle mass than women, and muscle mass contributes to faster cycling speeds.
Another possibility is that men have better aerodynamics than women due to their smaller frames and lower body fat.
Finally, men are more comfortable riding fast than women.
Whatever the reason, the data clearly shows that men have a higher average cycling speed than women.
What’s the Average Cycling Speed for Teens?
| Age | km/h | mph |
| 13 | 13 | 8.9 |
| 14-19 | 16 | 9.7 |
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the average cycling speed of 13-year-old cyclists is 13 km/h (8.9 mph).
Teens between 14 and 19 have a higher cycling speed of 16 km/h (9.7) mph.
What does this mean for teen cyclists? Cyclists who are 20-25 years old cycle better than them.
How Can You Improve Your Cycling Speed
If you want to improve your cycling speed, you can do a few things.
- Be aerodynamic: There are many ways to improve your aerodynamics, but some key things to remember are to keep your body low to the ground, tuck in your elbows and knees, and use aero bars if you have them.
- Ride short distances: When you ride shorter distances, you can ride at a higher speed for a more extended period. This will help you improve your endurance and cycling speed.
- Increase the resistance: Another way to improve your cycling speed is to increase the resistance on your bike. When you increase the resistance, you have to work harder to pedal, which will help you increase your cycling speed.
- Ensure your bike is tuned correctly: You can improve your cycling speed by ensuring your bike is properly tuned. This means that the gears and brakes are working correctly and that the bike is the correct size for you.
If the bike isn’t fitted perfectly, it can be challenging to ride, and this will slow you down.
- Ride with others: Riding in a group can make you faster because you can draft behind other cyclists. This saves energy by reducing the wind resistance against your body.
Additionally, riding with others can make the ride more fun and social.
- Brake less: This may seem counterintuitive, but it can help you go faster. When you brake, you lose speed and momentum.
If you can avoid braking as much as possible, you will keep your speed and momentum up.
There are a few things you can do to help you brake less. First, try to anticipate stops and slow down gradually rather than slamming on the brakes.
Also, ensure your bike is in good condition and that your brakes are working properly. If your bike is not fitted correctly or your brakes are not working well, it will be harder to stop quickly.
Lastly, practice! The more you ride, the better you anticipate stops and avoid braking.
- Lose weight: One way to improve your cycling speed is to ensure you are as light as possible. This means that you need to focus on losing weight if necessary.
Losing weight can be difficult, but it is worth it in the long run. You will feel more energetic, and your cycling speed will improve.
- Train indoors: Cycling indoors on a trainer can improve your cycling speed. You can use different types of trainers to simulate different terrains and work on your speed while maintaining proper form.
Trainer workouts can also help you increase your power output, which will help you go faster while cycling outdoors.
Another way to improve your cycling speed is by incorporating intervals into your training. This involves alternating short bursts of high-intensity cycling with short rest periods or lower-intensity cycling.
This type of training will help improve your overall endurance and speed.
- Eat the right foods: Ensureyou eat the right foods before and after cycling workouts. Eating carbs before a ride will give you energy for the workout, and protein afterward will help rebuild muscle tissue.
FAQ
Does Your Average Cycling Speed Really Matter?
In some ways, yes, it does matter.
If you’re trying to set a personal best time on a specific route, then your average speed is something you’ll want to pay attention to.
But your average speed is probably not as important if you’re just out for a leisurely ride.
What’s the Average Speed a 55-Year-Old Person Can Ride His Bicycle?
The average speed a 55-year-old can ride his bike is 12 km/hr.
However, this can still vary depending on the person’s health and physical condition and the terrain they are biking on.
Is 15 Mph a Good Speed For Cycling?
15 mph is a good average speed for cycling on most terrain. If you are reasonably fit and cycle on flat ground, you should be able to maintain this speed without too much effort.
But if you are cycling uphill or downhill, you will likely need to adjust your speed accordingly.
