How Long Does It Take to Bike 10 Miles? (By Experience & Ability!)

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Cycling to work

There’s no question that biking has numerous benefits. According to the Adventure Cycling Association, biking saves 700 million to 1.6 billion gallons of fuel each year.

Yet, a lot of people get discouraged from biking. Many become concerned about the time it takes to get from point A to point B.

One of the questions we often receive is, how long does it take to bike 10 miles?

The answer to this question is dependent on a few factors, as you’re about to learn!

The Average 10-Mile Bike Time

Biking 10 miles can take an hour on average. The actual time depends on experience, ability, terrain, and the type of bike you’re using.

1.   Bike Time and Ability

You don’t need much experience or training to bike 10 miles. Generally, 10 mph is a good speed for adult beginners. At this speed, you’ll be able to cover 10 miles in a single hour.

For children, it might take about 2 hours to cover 10 miles. Meanwhile, athletes can most likely cover 10 miles within 20 minutes at a higher speed.

Did you know that the Guinness world record for the fastest towed bicycle speed is 169 mph, accomplished by Elias Schwärzler?

2.   Bike Time and Terrain

Cycling on bendy open roads
sam dansie on a big ride around the algarve

Terrain may affect your bike time as well. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be walking beside your bike at the first sign of a hill. City traffic and red lights can also add to your minutes.

What’s crucial is constant training. Over time, you’ll be able to increase your speed.

3.   Bike Time and Bike Type

The amount of time you need to cover 10 miles can vary based on the type of bike you’re using.

Road bikes, for instance, are fast. They’re lightweight and great for covering long distances.

Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are ideal for covering rough terrain and dirt roads, so they’re bulkier and slower.

E-bikes use electricity to give your pedal a boost. With this kind of bike, you’ll be able to reach up to 20 mph. Driving uphill won’t be a problem as well.

How to Check Your Speed

Strava app to check your speed

A great way to find out how long it takes for you to bike 10 miles compared to others is by using Strava.

Strava is a GPS cycling app that enables you to see how fast other people traverse through the same path you’re on.

Cycling Throughout Time

The first-ever bicycle ride happened on June 12, 1817. Its inventor, Baron Karl Von Drais, managed to make an 8.6-mile trip in less than an hour.

Since then, scientists and manufacturers have improved bicycles. Today’s bikes are faster, safer, and more popular than ever.

In a 2015 study by the Journal of Transport and Health, they were able to find that 42% of households worldwide own at least one bike.

Cycling Trends Amid Covid-19

Since the pandemic, more people are turning to bikes as a mode of transportation.

According to the World Economic Forum, 2 billion bikes are being used today. They expect this number to rise to 5 billion by the end of 2050.

How Much Can You Save By Biking?

Bicyclists aren’t affected by OPEC’s decisions on crude oil prices. Beginner cyclists can surely look forward to avoiding the appalling $10,728 annual cost of owning a car.

Through cycling, you can avoid paying for gas, parking tickets, car maintenance, and even that pricey gym membership!

The Cost of Biking

Biking isn’t completely free. Cyclists spend about $350 per year on maintenance. Plus, you might have to ride public transportation to extremely far places. That’ll add to your costs.

Here’s an alarming fact that cyclists need to watch out for:

An average of 516 bikes get stolen every day in the United States. That’s one bike every 3 minutes. To reduce loss, consider getting a good quality bike lock or even bike insurance.

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is a low-impact form of exercise. Anyone can start it with little to no training. It helps you burn calories, tones your muscles, and improves your flexibility. It’s also found to improve your cardiovascular health when you do intense bike exercises.

In an 18-year study in Copenhagen, scientists discovered that men who did average-intensity cycling lived 2.9 years longer than men who did low-intensity cycling. To add to this, intense cyclists lived 5.3 years longer than those who did low-intensity cycling.

This is another great thing about cycling. Researchers have found that it reduces stress and anxiety levels over time. It’s an enjoyable workout when you’re biking on a trail with crisp, fresh air.

Is Cycling Safe?

Helmets to keep you safe while cycling

Cycling may be healthy for you, but is it a safer mode of transportation?

According to the CDC, about 1,000 bicyclists die each year in America. That’s 2% of the total accidents involving vehicles.

In comparison, there are 46,000 deaths resulting from car accidents each year.

Out of 1,000 bicyclists that die each year, 61% of the deaths are from riders without helmets. To add to this, 64% of the deaths occur on roads away from intersections. That’s because cars are faster there.

Let’s be vigilant for our safety by wearing our helmets and being aware of the danger zones.

Biking’s Environmental Impact

Biking doesn’t consume fossil fuels and it doesn’t emit any greenhouse gasses, which makes it very environmentally friendly.

As a matter of fact, every year, biking reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 6 to 14 million tons in the United States.

Why Bike to Work?

The US Census estimates that 50% of Americans live within 5 miles of their workplace.

Remember that the average bike speed of a beginner is 10 mph. That means you can get to your work within 30 minutes or less if you ride a bike.

If there are more bikes, there’ll be less traffic and less pollution. We won’t have to keep cutting trees to make space for parking. You get to save up on gas too.

Important Note for Beginner Bikers

While knowing how long it takes to bike 10 miles might be valuable, you shouldn’t force yourself to meet the standards.

Don’t worry if you’re a bit behind on time. What’s important is you keep your heart rate at a steady pace. Always focus on your safety above everything. For beginners, focus on learning how to pedal and use your gears efficiently. Remember that biking is an enjoyable experience. Take breaks if you have to.

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Paul Tuthill
Growing up in Scotland, Paul developed a love for the outdoors and a desire for adventure from an early age.