SunLive - Is riding a bike faster than a car? (2024)

A video launched in 2017 has been relaunched to help promote bike month.

The two minute video features a spoof Top Gear ‘Stig' versus cyclist contest, in a race to get from Welcome Bay to the Tauranga Hospital.

In five locations across the city – Mt Maunganui, Brookfield, Pyes Pa, Welcome Bay and Hairini – the journey times to the hospital were recorded. Multiple trips were made along each route across several months and yielded average times for both modes of transport.

For Welcome Bay the average time was over 11 minutes quicker by bike.

The experiment was the brainchild of Bay of Plenty District Health Board reporting analyst Tom Larkin and comes in the lead up to February's month-long Aotearoa Bike Challenge.

He says he wanted to encourage people to commute by bike.

'Adults should get 30 minutes of exercise a day. If you cycle 15 minutes to work and back, that's your 30 minutes, no need to join a gym and it doesn't take extra time out of your day. These results show it can actually save you time.

'If it encourages one additional person to cycle to work then I'll be happy, if it encourages 20,30,40 plus then absolutely fantastic,” says Tom, who lives in Mt Maunganui.

In three out of five timed journeys in the challenge, cycling proved quicker than jumping in the car, and for the other two driving was only a couple of minutes faster.

Journey to Tauranga Hospital from……

Distance (kms)

Bike Average Time (mins and secs)

Car Average Time (mins and secs)

Difference (mins and secs)

Bike or car faster?

Welcome Bay

7.4

18:11

29:32

11:21

Bike faster

Pyes Pa

4.7

10:12

18:20

8:08

Bike faster

Hairini

8

19:20

26:43

7:23

Bike faster

Mt Maunganui

10.2

25:45

23:30

2:15

Car faster

Brookfield

4.2

14:20

12:15

2:05

Car faster

*All times were accurate at the time of recording in 2017.

To celebrate the 2019 Aotearoa Bike Challenge and to encourage you to get on your bike, Sport Bay of Plenty are hosting Go By Bike Days in Rotorua and Tauranga.

There are pit stop locations across each town offering refreshments and loads of sport prizes.

To find out more information about the Go By Bike Days, click here:

To learn more about the Aotearoa Bike Challenge go to: www.lovetoride.net/nz

SunLive - Is riding a bike faster than a car? (2024)

FAQs

Is a bicycle faster than a car? ›

Cars can go much faster than bicycles and so their stopping distance is generally much longer. With each doubling of speed, perception/reaction distance doubles and braking distance quadruples.

Can a power bike run faster than a car? ›

While some motorcycles are designed for speed and can certainly outpace many cars, there are also many cars that are faster than most motorcycles. The idea that motorcycles have to be faster than cars is a myth, and there are a number of reasons why this myth persists.

Why is it better to ride a bike than drive a car? ›

While drivers breathe exhaust (studies have shown that cyclists breathe less exhaust), and honk at each other, you feel the breeze and enjoy the sights off the roadside. Not to mention that you always get a great parking spot and often even beat your coworkers who drive to work.

Why is biking so fast? ›

Racing bicycles are light in weight, allow for free motion of the legs, gives the rider a position which is both relatively comfortable and aerodynamic, have stiffness for good power transfer, and feature high gear ratios and low rolling resistance.

Can a bike outrun a car? ›

Definitely. Many high end motorcycles can top out at 150+ mph, and can reach that top speed faster, whereas most cars won't break 130 mph. Where they lose ground is in the turns since they need to slow down more to make the same turns a car can do faster.

Is fastest bike faster than fastest car? ›

Formula 1 car lap times at the same race track are around 1 minute 32 seconds. Top fuel cars are doing the standing start quarter mile in less than 4 seconds going over 300 mph through the finish. As far as I can tell, the top fuel motorcycle record is 5.793 seconds going about 245 mph at the finish.

Can a bike go 30 mph? ›

Electric Bikes that go 30mph

These are often used for commuting longer distances and can only be used on the roads. You can see all of the bikes we carry that have this higher speed rating of Speed Pedelec. The most popular and well respected are the Stromer range.

Which bike has the highest speed? ›

Today, we're diving into the elite category: the top 10 fastest motorcycles in the world for 2024. 1. Kawasaki Ninja H2R: This track-focused beast reigns supreme. With a supercharged engine and a mind-blowing power-to-weight ratio, the H2R boasts a top speed exceeding 400 km/h (250 mph).

How many mph can a bike go? ›

Average Speed on Flat Ground: 25-28 mph

The average speed for professional cyclists while traversing on flat terrain is 25-28 mph. The average amateur cyclist travels about 17-18 mph while on flat ground.

What are the disadvantages of a bicycle? ›

Disadvantages of Cycling:
  • Dangers to Traffic Safety. Take caution when riding a bike on the road. ...
  • Safety While Riding. If cycling is practiced as a sport, adequate protection gear is required. ...
  • Impact on The Lower Body. ...
  • Damage to the Opponent. ...
  • Injuries to The Cervical and Lumbar Spine.
Feb 7, 2024

How much money does riding a bike save? ›

It will add up over time. If you ride just 10 miles each week on average over the course of a year, you'll save $299. Double your miles and now you're saving close to $600. You might even discover that you're able to accomplish your fitness goals through biking alone.

Why do people like biking? ›

Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine.

Why are men faster cyclists? ›

Why are men usually faster cyclists than women? There's no secret to the fact that men have a higher average percentage of muscle mass than women. Males tend to be taller, and on average weigh more.

How much horsepower does a human have on a bike? ›

Re: So ho wmuch horsepower does the average person make? During a consistent, long-term effort like biking, it's generally accepted that most humans generate about 1/4 to 1/3 HP.

Which has more acceleration a car or a bike? ›

Both will have the same acceleration.

Are bikes faster than cars around a track? ›

While some motorcycles are designed for speed and can certainly outpace many cars, there are also many cars that are faster than most motorcycles. The idea that motorcycles have to be faster than cars is a myth, and there are a number of reasons why this myth persists.

How fast can you drive a bike? ›

The answer to the question, “What is a good bike speed in mph?” depends heavily on the individual rider's physical fitness and skill level. Generally speaking, an experienced adult cyclist can ride at speeds ranging from 15-20 miles per hour (24-32 kilometers per hour) on flat terrain.

Are bikes or scooters faster? ›

Speed & Range. The average e-bike and e-scooter have about the same speed, which is around the 20 mph (32 kph) mark. But there are significantly many more electric scooters that can do 40-60 mph (65-96 kph) than e-bikes.

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