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Cities Where Cycling is the Fastest Mode of Transport
Written by: Rémy Rossi | June 17, 2025 | Time to read 6 min
Think your car or the subway is the fastest way across town? In some cities, your bike or electric bike can leave them all in the dust.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
There’s often a presumed hierarchy when it comes to the fastest modes of transport within a city. Each city has its own flavor and infrastructure quirks, so there are differences in the quickest way to get around, whether it’s using a bus, subway, car, bike, or simply walking. But your initial assumption may be wrong if you look at the data, and you may be missing out on saving precious minutes during your commute.
I wish cycling were the fastest and most convenient way to get around all cities, but sadly, that’s not the case. However, I have found several inspiring examples where riding a bike or an electric bike beats out the rest for short and medium-distance trips. Put on your thinking caps and let’s dive into the data.
Commute time data in cities
Knowledge is power, and there are informative tools out there for commuters looking to optimize their trip, or at least understand how their city transit system works (or doesn’t work).
I recently discovered the Commute Time Map, an interactive tool that displays the area commuters can reach with a chosen transit mode within a certain time period (adjustable). You can toggle between car, bus, bike, and walking modes and adjust the time. It reminds me of a tool I was shown by urban planners and data scientists while working for the Boston Cyclists’ Union several years ago.
I recommend playing around with this powerful tool and seeing the transit times in your area. In many cases, cycling is faster than public transit— and electric bikes can help you go even quicker.
How fast is commuting by e-Bike
In general, biking can be the fastest mode of transport for trips under 3 or 6 miles in places where traffic congestion or transit delays are high. I found this to be true in small, dense cities like Boston, and I saw it play out during my cycling trip to Tokyo as well. Many Japanese people use bikes for short trips instead of driving or using the bus, and utilize the efficient trains for longer trips.
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Studies reveal cycling insights in cities
An analysis of all the cities where cycling is faster than public transit is far beyond the scope of this humble blog post, but I did unearth several interesting nuggets of information. A 2018 study presented at the Annual Transportation Research Forum found that, in Chicago, cycling trip times are faster than public transit and competitive with using Uber. Chicago has continued to improve its cycling infrastructure and is one of the e-Bike hotspots in the US at the moment.
The Chicago study also found that riding a bike is a much more predictable form of transportation when it comes to the time it’ll take. Riders don’t have to worry about traffic jams, transit timetables, or unreliable car-share services. This is a benefit I especially love about cycling in cities, and I think people underrate it. Choosing to travel by bike can better keep you on schedule, or at least if you’re late, it’s entirely your fault.
The Chicago study also found that riding a bike is a much more predictable form of transportation when it comes to the time it’ll take. Riders don’t have to worry about traffic jams, transit timetables, or unreliable car-share services. This is a benefit I especially love about cycling in cities, and I think people underrate it. Choosing to travel by bike can better keep you on schedule, or at least if you’re late, it’s entirely your fault.
International examples
A study from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha showed the relative speed advantage of bikes in several Spanish cities. Analyzing Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Valencia, using a bike was always the fastest way to get through the city. Public transport took second place in Madrid and Barcelona, while cars were the second fastest in Sevilla and Valencia. Often, car trips took nearly twice as long as those taken on bikes.
The average speed of bikes was clocked at 13.07 km/h; public transport at 8.91 km/h; cars at 8.42 km/h, and walking at 5.41 km/h. In general, bikes continued to be the fastest form of transport for trips with a length of up to 13.75 kilometers— after that, cars started to have the advantage.
I also came across interesting transit data about Buenos Aires from Felipe González, an urban data scientist. He created a data map of the areas where certain transit modes are the fastest, noting that, for most of the city, commuting by bike to downtown is more efficient in comparison to cars.
Compare commuter e-Bikes at Upway
Do your own testing by commuting on an electric bike in your city! Upway offers deep discounts on commuter electric bikes built to be as convenient, practical, and comfortable in the urban environment. Whether you need a cargo e-Bike or a folding electric bike, we’ve got you covered to get from point A to point B fast, without breaking the bank.
Biking is often the fastest form of transit in cities where car traffic is heavy, public transportation is limited or indirect, and cycling infrastructure is strong.
Biking is often the fastest form of transit in cities where car traffic is heavy, public transportation is limited or indirect, and cycling infrastructure is strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
What's the carbon footprint of e-Bikes vs. traditional bikes?
E-bikes have a slightly higher carbon footprint than traditional bikes due to battery production and electricity use. It takes around 38-65kg of additional CO2 emissions to produce an e-Bike and they produce 3-5 times more CO2 per kilometer than standard bicycles. Both are significantly lower than cars, making them eco-friendly transportation options.
Do you need a license for an electric bike?
In nearly all states, riders do not need a license to operate an electric bike. However, riders of Class 3 e-Bikes in New Jersey need a license, and e-Bike users in Hawaii will need to pay a $30 registration fee.
Key Takeaways
- Cycling often wins in dense, congested cities for trips under 6 miles, especially with an e-bike.
- Predictability matters: Bikes avoid delays from traffic and unreliable transit schedules, offering consistent trip times.
- Global studies confirm it: In cities from Chicago to Barcelona to Buenos Aires, bikes can be the fastest mode of travel for urban trips.
