Nowadays, with the rising gas prices and people becoming more environmentally conscious, the demand of bikes are increasing. Bikes allow you to travel free of cost and play a role in protecting the environment from the harmful emissions from gas.
Furthermore, cycling is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercises. Unlike running, cycling is easy on the knee joints. You can also cover a lot more distance on the bike compared to running.
For most people, 3 miles is an achievable distance on a bike. Be it a commuter or a recreational biker, 3 miles on a bike is easy. However, the time taken to cover 3 miles on a bike varies from person to person. This is because of some external and internal factors. We will look into these factors in detail later on. On average, most people can bike 3 miles in 12 to 15 minutes.
Time Taken to Bike 3 Miles
The average speed of most bikers is around 15mph to 18mph. This means that on average, it will take around 12 minutes to bike 3 miles.
| Type of Bike | Average Speed (miles per hour) | Time Taken to Cover 3 Miles |
| Road Bike | 18mph | 10 minutes |
| Mountain Bike | 10mph | 18 minutes |
| Hybrid Bike | 15mph | 12 minutes |
| Electric Bike | 18mph | 10 minutes |
| Folding Bike | 14mph | 13 minutes |
| Touring Bike | 13mph | 14 minutes |
Factors Affecting the Time It Takes to Bike 3 Miles
The time taken to complete 3 miles on a bike depends on the speed of the bike. The speed of the bike is affected by some external factors. Some of these factors are controllable while others are not in your control. Let’s have a look at these factors:
Fitness Level
The first thing to consider is the fitness level of the cyclist. If a cyclist is fit and bikes regularly, he will be able to cover 3 miles with relative ease and in quick time.
On the other hand, beginners or people who are not so fit will find it a bit difficult initially to complete 3 miles quickly. Stamina plays a role in how fast you get tired. If you are out of breath, you will have to stop occasionally and this will increase the time it takes to cover 3 miles.
Fitness level and stamina is an internal factor and something you can control. You can work on your fitness if you are unfit. This will improve your cardiovascular health and allow you to build your stamina. Increase in stamina will improve your performance and you will be able to ride faster without getting tired.
Bike Route/Terrain
The second factor which affect the time it takes to bike 3 miles is your route or the type of terrain you cycle on. Flat paved roads are ideal for maintaining average speeds of 15 to 18mph.
If your route involves downhill slopes, then you will further increase your speed as you are going with the gravity.
However, if your route involves steep hills which you have to climb, brace yourself for a longer ride. This is because climbing hills require more effort and will tire you. This will reduce your average bike speed.
As a result, you will cover 3 miles on bike much slower. Therefore, it is important to consider the type of route you are cycling on.
Apart from paved roads, if your route involves driving on the trails, then your speed will again be affected. Normally, in rough trails, it is harder to navigate the bike as you have to watch out for rocks.
Also the bike is quite slippery on the loose trail. Naturally, your speed will be slower than than on a paved road. Slower speed will make it longer for you to cover 3 miles on the bike.
These are some things about the terrain you have to keep in mind when looking to determine how long does it take to bike 3 miles.
Type of Bike
The type of bike you have also affects the speed of the bike. A road bike has thin tires and offers the maximum speed. Having a road bike will allow you to cover 3 miles the fastest.
However, a road bike is only good on the roads and not on the trails or off roads. For off roads, you need a mountain bike.
A mountain bike generally has fat tires and offer great grip on the loose slippery trails. This, however, compromises the speed.
Mountain bikes are slower than road bikes and as a result, it will take longer to cover 3 miles on a mountain bike compared to road bike. So the type of bike you have must also be considered when determining the time it will take to cover 3 miles.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are something you cannot control. It varies day to day and can have an impact on the time taken to cycle 3 miles.
A rainy day will make the route slippery and you will have to drive cautiously. This will reduce your time. Similarly, cycling against the wind will lower your speed. Wind resistance will increase the time it takes to cycle 3 miles.
On the other hand, having a nice breeze behind your back will increase your speed and lower the time to complete your 3 mile journey. Cycling on a hot sunny day will tire you as you will sweat and your body temperature will rise.
This will cause you to slow your speed to cool down. As a result, the time taken to cover 3 miles will be a lot more than when you are cycling in ideal conditions.
Bike Condition
Another thing to keep in mind is the condition of the bike. You may have the right bike for the kind of route you will be cycling on but the condition of the bike must also be good.
You have to look at things like the tire pressure, crankset etc. and make sure everything is in line. If you keep your bike well maintained, you will not face any problems.
Extra Weight/Luggage
The time it takes to complete 3 miles on bike will also depend on the amount of luggage you are carrying.
If you commute regularly to work, you carry things like your backpack. This adds to the weight.
Carrying too much weight will slow you down. This will cause you to take much longer to cover the distance than if you were riding without any extra weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many calories does cycling for 3 miles burn?
150 calories. This is not a lot though you can try to cover more distance gradually and burn more calories.
Is cycling 3 miles a day good?
3 miles is not a lot of distance. It is a good distance for beginners though. You will cover 3 miles in around 12 minutes easily.
Will I lose weight if I bike 3 miles?
Cycling for 3 miles burns 150 calories. This is quite less. To lose weight, you need to eat in a calorie deficit.
How can I bike faster?
You can improve your stamina and fitness. Pick the right bike type for your route. Wear the right gear. This will help you bike faster.
