Cycling Cost Per Mile Calculator
Spread the cost of your bike, gear, tyres, chains and servicing over the miles you ride to find your true cost per mile and per km. All costs in US dollars (USD).
Cycling Cost Per Mile Calculator: What Does It Really Cost to Ride a Bike?
Cycling feels free once you own a bike, but tyres, chains, brake pads, servicing, clothing and the bike itself all cost money. Our free cycling cost per mile calculator spreads all of these costs over the miles you ride, so you can see your true cost per mile (or cost per km), your yearly and monthly cost, your cost per ride and how much you save compared with driving.
It works for road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid and commuter bikes, and electric bikes (e-bikes), including charging and battery replacement. Enter your distance in miles or kilometres – the calculator converts everything for you. All costs are in US dollars.
How to use the calculator
- Choose your bike type. This loads a typical price, resale value and wear-part costs.
- Enter the bike price, how many years you will keep it and what it will be worth when you sell it.
- Enter your yearly distance and number of rides.
- Add gear: helmet, clothing, shoes, lights, lock and accessories, and how long they last.
- Check the wear parts: tyres, chain, brake pads and cassette, with how far each lasts.
- Add yearly costs: servicing, insurance and subscriptions such as Strava or Zwift.
- E-bike? Tick “Electric bike” and add your energy use, electricity price and battery cost.
The cost per mile formula
Depreciation per year = (Bike price − Resale value) ÷ Years owned
Wear per mile = Part cost ÷ Miles it lasts (for each part)
Yearly cost = Depreciation + Gear ÷ Gear life + Wear per mile × Miles + Service + Insurance + Subscriptions
Cost per mile = Yearly cost ÷ Miles ridden per year
Example: a $2,000 road bike ridden 3,000 miles a year
| Cost per year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Depreciation ($2,000 − 35% resale, over 5 years) | $260.00 |
| Gear ($500 over 3 years) | $166.67 |
| Tyres ($70 per 3,000 miles) | $70.00 |
| Chain ($35 per 3,000 miles) | $35.00 |
| Brake pads ($30 per 2,000 miles) | $45.00 |
| Cassette ($90 per 9,000 miles) | $30.00 |
| Servicing, insurance, subscriptions | $310.00 |
| Total | $916.67 a year = $0.31 per mile ($0.19 per km) |
If 30% of those miles replace car journeys costing $0.70 a mile, cycling saves about $355 a year.
Typical cycling costs per mile
| Bike & rider | Typical cost per mile | Per km |
|---|---|---|
| Commuter on a $700 hybrid, 3,000 mi/yr, home maintenance | $0.10–$0.20 | $0.06–$0.12 |
| Road cyclist, $2,000 bike, 3,000 mi/yr | $0.25–$0.40 | $0.15–$0.25 |
| E-bike commuter, $3,000 bike, 3,000 mi/yr | $0.35–$0.55 | $0.22–$0.34 |
| Mountain biker, $4,000 full-suspension, 1,500 mi/yr | $0.80–$1.50 | $0.50–$0.95 |
| Enthusiast, $8,000 road bike, 5,000 mi/yr | $0.60–$1.00 | $0.37–$0.62 |
The more you ride, the lower your cost per mile, because the bike, gear and servicing are fixed costs spread over more miles. The calculator’s “If you ride more or less” table shows this clearly.
How long do bike parts last?
| Part | Typical life | Replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Road tyres | 2,000–4,000 miles | $50–$120 a pair |
| Mountain bike tyres | 1,000–2,500 miles | $80–$160 a pair |
| Chain | 2,000–3,000 miles | $25–$60 |
| Brake pads (disc or rim) | 1,000–3,000 miles | $15–$40 a set |
| Cassette | 6,000–10,000 miles (with regular chain changes) | $50–$150 |
| E-bike battery | 500–1,000 charge cycles (10,000–25,000 miles) | $400–$900 |
Tip: Replacing your chain before it stretches past 0.5% wear can double the life of your cassette and chainrings. A $10 chain checker pays for itself quickly.
E-bike cost per mile
E-bikes are very cheap to charge. Most use 0.7–2 kWh per 100 miles, so at the US average of about $0.17 per kWh, charging costs only $0.12–$0.35 per 100 miles. In the UK, at about 25p ($0.33) per kWh, it is still well under a penny a mile. The bigger costs are the higher purchase price, faster tyre and chain wear from extra torque, and eventually a replacement battery.
Cycling vs driving: how much can you save?
The IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is 70 cents per mile, and HM Revenue & Customs uses 45p (about $0.57) per mile for the first 10,000 business miles. Both cover fuel, depreciation, insurance and maintenance. Compared with $0.20–$0.40 per mile for most cyclists, cycling to work can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. UK riders can also save 25–42% on a new bike through the Cycle to Work scheme.
Planning a longer trip? Budget it with our bike touring budget calculator, or compare with driving using the road trip fuel cost calculator.
How to lower your cost per mile
- Ride more – fixed costs are spread across more miles.
- Learn basic maintenance: cleaning, lubing, adjusting brakes and gears.
- Replace chains on time to protect the drivetrain.
- Buy durable tyres for commuting and training.
- Buy a quality used bike – depreciation is lower.
- Look after your bike so it keeps its resale value.
- Use the Cycle to Work scheme (UK) or employer commuter benefits (US).
Related searches this calculator answers
- cycling cost per mile
- cost of cycling per km
- bike cost per mile calculator
- how much does it cost to ride a bike
- bike running costs
- bike maintenance cost per year
- cost of owning a bike
- road bike running costs
- e-bike cost per mile
- e-bike charging cost
- e-bike battery replacement cost
- cost of cycling to work
- bike vs car cost per mile
- cycle commuting savings calculator
- how long does a bike chain last
- how long do bike tyres last
- bike tyre cost per mile
- bike depreciation calculator
- bike service cost
- cycling hobby cost per year
- cost of road cycling
- mountain biking cost per year
- gravel bike running costs
- cycle to work scheme savings
- IRS mileage rate vs bike
- HMRC mileage vs cycling
- bike insurance cost
- cycling cost calculator
- cost per ride bike
- is cycling cheaper than driving
Frequently asked questions
How much does cycling cost per mile?
Most cyclists spend $0.10–$0.40 per mile once you include the bike’s depreciation, gear, tyres, chains, brake pads and servicing. Expensive bikes ridden few miles can cost $1 or more per mile.
How do I calculate my cost per mile for cycling?
Add up your yearly costs – depreciation (bike price minus resale value, divided by years), gear, wear parts, servicing, insurance and subscriptions – then divide by the miles you ride in a year.
How much does an e-bike cost per mile?
Charging costs only about $0.001–$0.004 per mile. Including depreciation, battery wear, tyres and servicing, most e-bike commuters pay about $0.30–$0.55 per mile – still far cheaper than driving.
Is cycling cheaper than driving?
Yes. Driving typically costs $0.60–$0.80 per mile in the US (the IRS rate is 70¢ for 2025) and around 45p per mile in the UK, compared with $0.10–$0.40 for most cyclists.
How much does bike maintenance cost per year?
Typical riders spend $150–$400 a year on tyres, chains, brake pads and a yearly service. Doing your own maintenance can cut this in half.
How often should I replace my bike chain?
Usually every 2,000–3,000 miles, or when a chain checker shows 0.5% wear. Replacing it on time protects your cassette and chainrings.