What is the Recommended Average Road Bike Speed
Road bikes can attain any level of speed while on the road, but have you ever asked yourself what is the average road bike speed?
Well, these bikes can have varying speeds depending on the level of effort you apply. If you turn the pedals slowly, the bike will respond by moving slowly. However, if you turn the pedals faster, the bike will have an enhanced speed.
In this article, we will learn about the speed levels of road bikes, and the average motion they can attain. The article will also mention factors that affect speeding levels and the recommended speeds.
Read through for more information.
What is the recommended average speed on a road bike?
Measuring the average speed of a road bike can be challenging and might not be always the best thing to do. There are a few things to consider when performing this procedure, key among them is the experience level of the user.
The table below shows the recommended levels of average speed of a road bike for an hour’s ride.
| No. | Experience Level | Average Speed per Hour |
| 1 | Beginner | 10 Mph |
| 2 | Average Cyclist | 15 Mph |
| 3 | Regular Rider | 20 Mph |
| 4 | Professional Rider | 25 Mph |
Most of the riders can do an average of 15 Mph per hour. A beginner can ride at 10 mph but should be able to reach 15 mph fast.
Riders who train once in a while can attain average speeds of 18 mph, but once it turns to regular training, it should be easy to achieve 22 mph.
Professional riders who perform bike competitions like Tour De France should easily hit 25 Mph on average.
The general rule is that any person riding a road bike can attain average speeds of between 15 to 20 mph, regardless of the level of experience. However, this can only happen on smooth surfaces, and this speed is sustainable only on short bursts.
Road bikes are the most suitable for racing competitions because they are lightweight. The materials used in construction are also light, therefore reducing the general weight of the product. These materials are aluminum and fiber and make the bike race as fast as it can manage.
Road bikes have narrow tires which allow for less or minimum air resistance and fast speeds. The trend is, however changing because the recent and newer models now come equipped with wide tires. Regardless of this, they are still faster than other types of bikes such as MTBs and hybrid models.
Riding a road bike requires one to lean forward to achieve maximum speeds. It is not built for comfort like the other models. If you have back problems, it is not advisable to ride such types of bikes, but try the others like mountain bikes.
There are various levels of experience when it comes to bikes. The table above indicates these levels and the average speed one can attain. However, some factors can make one not attain these speeds. They are explained in the section below.
Factors that influence speed on a road bike
The route
Attaining an average speed on a bike is not easy. It depends on the nature of the road you are using. A paved tarmac allows one to move faster than one on rugged terrains.
The road signs require the rider to regulate the speed while moving. The speed restrictions apply on some roads, while traffic, intersections, and road joints also require the rider to slow down.
Stop signs reduce the speed to zero, hence affecting the performance.
The traffic
A busy highway will require slower speeds. The case is different if you are riding in a paved neighborhood. The pavements are ideal for achieving top speeds, especially where there is less traffic, both people and vehicles.
Hills and plains
The roads are not always flat but rather denoted by hills, steep slopes, and plains. Riding up the hill reduces the speed to a minimum, and it is a form of workout.
Going down the valley increases the speed of the bike exponentially. Riding on a flat surface can lead to average speed and medium workouts.
It is easy to achieve top speeds when going down a hill than when on a flat surface or going up the hill.
The stop signs
On most roads, especially the highways, there are road signs to regulate speed and movement. It is quite impossible to move at a standard speed with such signs regulating the movement.
Some road signs might not necessarily require you to stop, but regulate. You might have noticed some signages like this, ⑩. It means you should not exceed 10 Mph, failure to which you will be in trouble with the law!
Observing all road signs is key to safe driving.
The road turns
It is advisable not to take turns when at high speed, as you risk tipping off the bike. You may also collide with other road users, and that might not be pleasing.
Statistics show that most road accidents occur at turning points and intersections. It is advisable to slow down, or even stop and ensure that the road is clear before proceeding.
The age
Road bike riders have varying ages, and this is another factor that affects the attainment of average speeds. An adult full of energy can attain high speeds within moments after starting the ride. A kid, on the other hand, will take a long to acquire riding skills. Such persons might not even attain the recommended average speed of a road bike.
An old person can ride only for leisure but not for competition, hence attaining average or higher speeds can be a problem.
It is, therefore, critical to consider the age of a person when determining the average speed of a bike.
Conclusion
After going through this article, it is now easy to understand the average speed of a road bike. It is not a standard figure but many factors affect its attainment. They include factors related to the bike, route, law, nature and the age of the rider.
It is easy to achieve top or average speeds on a paved road than on a busy highway or hilly areas.
Observe caution when racing on a road bike because it is prone to accidents like collisions and tipping off. Road intersections pose a challenge in attaining the average speed.
Best of luck as you ride the bike.
