Skateboards allow us to do many things. We can head to the skate park to show off tricks with peers or roll on the streets with ledges and rails. You can also cruise or race around with an appropriate board.
On the topic of racing, do you know the average skateboard speed? Historically, the numbers go around 9 miles per hour, which is pretty fast, but some factors could affect it.
Keep reading this article as we tackle a skateboard’s speed in detail and more of its performance aspects.
Table of Contents
How Fast Does a Skateboard Go?
An average speed of a skateboard at 9 mph or 14.48 km/h could be decent for commuting cost-free, with no fare and no fuel. But is this rate the same across all skateboards? No. Let’s further explore this skateboard aspect.
1. Minimum speed
The slowest a skateboard can travel is about 5 miles per hour, almost like a person’s jogging or fast-walking speed. If you’re commuting, 5 mph is also a safe skateboard speed record with pedestrians around.
2. Maximum speed
On the other hand, records show that a fast skateboard can roll at 12 miles per hour. At this rate, skaters would be four times faster compared to walking in Manhattan.
3. Average speed
We have already specified the extent of skateboard speeds. But we mentioned that the 9-mile-per-hour rate could vary across several circumstances. Hence, here are the average speed skating mph rates under specific situations.
| Type of Skateboarding | Average Speed |
| Traveling to school | 5-12 miles per hour |
| Cruising to the beach | 7 miles per hour |
| Smooth pushing | 8-9 miles per hour |
| Power pushing with top-tier bearings | 7.5-12 miles per hour |
| Minimum to fastest skateboard speed on flat | 5-8 miles per hour |
| Soft-wheeled skateboard | 7.5 miles per hour |
It’s Also About the Skateboard’s Type and Setup
A skateboard’s identity is indicative of its intended skating style and performance. So, what are the average speeds of today’s popular skateboards?
- Longboard
How fast can you go on a longboard? Longboards can be for mellow cruising. The average longboard speed is about 5-14 miles per hour. But if we go downhill skating, we can reach a speed of about 30-65 miles per hour. - Cruiser skateboard
Like a longboard, cruiser boards have a minimum speed of five miles per hour. But these boards can only go as fast as 7 miles per hour.
If we tackle the setup, what component is the most relevant? It’s the wheels. How fast do skateboard wheels go?
- Wheel size and hardness
The fastest skateboard wheels are the big ones. Specifically, these rollers are at the higher end of the sizing scale with 65mm diameters or more. That’s for the size. How about the hardness?
Yes, the wheel’s hardness is also a calculator of the skateboard’s speed. And if you want to achieve a better skateboard pace, consider using soft wheels. Why? Imagine using hard rollers that cannot dodge road debris. Your momentum will most likely be interrupted.
So, while softer rollers around 78A on the durometer scale impose some speed reduction, their softness still neutralizes what hard wheels can’t.
- Bearings
Getting to the inner part of the wheel, we find the bearings. These cores make the wheels roll smoother and more precisely.
So, to ensure our skateboards are faster, we should use high-quality bearings with better ABEC ratings. Some of the brands we can use are Bones and Bronson. Besides buying a new set of wheel cores, you can also clean them regularly to save money.
Other Factors Affecting Speed
Indeed, many external and physical aspects influence a skateboard’s pace. Let’s take two more below.
1. Terrain
We know how wheel brands design their products to suit skate parks, streets, and other terrain types. And with a changing skating environment, we should expect that the speed we enjoy on smooth surfaces will differ once we take on the rough ones.
That is how the terrain affects skateboard speeds. For example, skating in the city, given all road regulations, you can travel at around 7.5 miles per hour.
But on roads in remote areas with no traffic, expect your speed to go higher.
2. Experience
Indeed, experience is our best teacher. And we need to have enough of this to grow our skills and proficiency.
Does experience also affect our speed? Yes. Remember when you first started skateboarding? You must have been learning at slower speeds, like a casual walk. And after months of practice, you likely have added a few kilometers to your usual pushing acceleration and speed.
Besides that, riding in crowded and more challenging places must have taught you to be more vigilant and creative on the road. This results in knowing how to manage your pace better.
Tips to Increase Skateboard Speed
Are you planning to level up your skateboarding speed? Give your skateboard a revamp. Take note of the following.
1. Use quality wheels
We mentioned that the larger-diameter, softer wheels work best for obtaining exceptional skateboard speeds. But besides having these parts, you might as well consider checking them regularly for signs of wearing out. This way, you can see if the rollers need replacement or repair.
2. Check your bushings
Everyone likes their trucks to be responsive. And often, this depends on quality bushings.
Hence, consider changing or updating your bushings to keep your trucks in responsive condition and the skateboard fast.
3. Maintain your bearings
Again, it’s not always about buying new parts. Like in the case of a bearing, spending should not always be the top choice. Sometimes, cleaning or lubricating these components will make them work like they’re new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a skateboard as fast as a bike?
Compared to biking, skateboards are slower. Let’s discuss bike speeds in detail.
- Professional speed on flat ground – 25-28 miles per hour
- Speed on cobblestone – 22-24 miles per hour
- Climbing speed – 12.8 miles per hour
Compared to the speed figures of skateboards, bicycles could be at least twice as fast as our wooden boards.
Is 12 mph fast on a skateboard?
12 mph on a skateboard is often a top speed already. As mentioned, this rate is around four times the pace of a person walking.
Furthermore, this skateboard speed is comparable to 80% of a bull’s pace. Is skateboarding faster than running? It’s only around half of Usain Bolt’s speed but faster than a regular person’s dashing, and 20% as quick as a Knuckleball pitch.
Are skateboards faster than bikes?
Is skateboarding more dangerous than biking? Technically, yes. But is it faster than cycling?
No. As mentioned, bicycles have pedals a rider can propel to move fast. And if he does, the bike will likely move quicker than a skateboard.
Let’s consider numbers. The fastest speed on a skateboard is 12 miles per hour only.
On the other hand, bicycles have a pace averaging 15-20 miles per hour, close to the speed of NHL player on ice. And such a pace is still at a commuter level.
Conclusion
We know that skateboards aren’t only for recreation. They can serve far more significant purposes, like commuting. And whether using a skateboard as transportation or racing with friends, speed always comes into consideration.
After knowing the average skateboard speed, you have finally gauged how your board can perform. From there, you will know whether to change wheels and bushings, clean your bearings or where to skate.
It’s about mixing these considerations perfectly. Eventually, you’ll see yourself skating as fast as you always wanted.
Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.