How long does it take you to ride to your destination? If you use Ride the City, you'll notice that along with "total distance" it provides you with an estimated time.
How is "estimated time" determined? First, Ride the City calculates the total distance. Then it assumes a slow (10mph) and faster (15mph) speed to figure out the low/high estimated riding time. Aside from a slight variation for greenway miles, that's it.
How accurate does the estimated time play out for you?
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 12:41
As others have said, they're a little fast generally because of secondary factors like stopping and traffic. I don't know how you'd factor that into your algorithm, so I'm not complaining, but it's true. It estimates 30-45 minutes from mid-Queens to the west side of Manhattan via Queens Boulevard, but between stoplights and avoiding precarious situations it's probably more like 45 to an hour at best. Or maybe I'm just slow. Kudos on the site.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:15
I'm a new commuter cyclist riding a folding bike and I know I'm slow (see also: cautious). So I wasn't expecting to measure up to the slow estimates, which I didn't and don't. But after reading the comments here about more experienced bikers being 5 or 10 minutes behind the slow times, I feel better. Maybe I'm not as far below average as I thought. This is good news!
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 21:10
You may want to use a slower rate for the low end - maybe 8 mph or something. Some routes have a lot of stop lights and a lot of traffic and maintaining a fast pace on them at rush hour can be tough. I bike from Park Slope into Manhattan, and the estimate was a little shorter than most people (yes, including me) can generally do it.
Wed, 07/09/2008 - 16:40
i've found your time estimates to be pretty accurate. it's difficult to know exactly how long it should take, but you guys do a great job.
thank you so much for this excellent service!
Mon, 06/30/2008 - 07:53
I'm getting 16-25 minutes for 4.1 miles from Prospect Heights to Soho -- on my best day I am within the high end of that range but it can take me up to 40 minutes depending on traffic and how hard I push over the bridge. I am a bit big and slow, but not leisurely, so I guess YMMV...
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:33
I think your estimates are a bit too fast. Looking at routes I take daily it takes me 5-15 mins more than what you estimate. I am not aware of the speeds I hit but I think it mostly has to do with stopping at lights, needing to stop for cars pulled over in the bike lanes, etc.