Blog · Commuting
Skateboard vs Bike for Commuting — Speed, Practicality & Cost
For commutes under 3 miles in an urban environment, both a skateboard and a bike are faster than walking and cheaper than driving. Which is better depends on your route, your building's storage situation, and what matters more to you — speed, portability, or cost. This guide breaks it down honestly.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Skateboard / longboard | Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-ground cruising speed | 7–12 mph | 10–15 mph |
| Hills (uphill) | Must push or carry | Can gear down and ride |
| Hills (downhill) | Fast but harder to control; footbraking required | Fast; brakes handle it easily |
| Rough pavement | Poor on hard wheels; good on 78A–87A soft wheels | Handles most surfaces well |
| Portability | Excellent — carry under arm or in backpack (mini cruiser) | Poor — needs bike parking or carrying up stairs |
| Storage at destination | Slides under desk, into locker, fits in bag | Needs bike rack, lock, or space |
| Entry cost | $80–$200 for a commuter setup | $300–$600 for a decent commuter bike |
| Maintenance cost | Low — bearings ($20), wheels ($30–$60) per year if used daily | Higher — chain, tubes, brake pads, derailleur |
| Theft risk | Low — kept with you indoors | High — requires locking outside |
| Learning curve | Higher — takes weeks to push smoothly and confidently | Lower — most adults already know how to ride |
| Rain / wet pavement | Dangerous — wheels lose grip on wet surfaces | Manageable with wet tires; still slippery |
| Workout | Moderate — continuous pushing engages legs and core | Higher — especially on hills |
Speed: how much faster is a bike?
For a typical 1-mile flat urban commute:
| Mode | Avg speed | 1-mile time | 2-mile time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | 3–4 mph | 15–20 min | 30–40 min |
| Skateboard / cruiser | 7–10 mph | 6–9 min | 12–17 min |
| Longboard | 8–12 mph | 5–8 min | 10–15 min |
| Bike | 10–15 mph | 4–6 min | 8–12 min |
The speed gap between a cruiser/longboard and a bike is roughly 30–50% on flat ground. On a 1-mile commute, that's 2–4 minutes difference. On a 2-mile commute, 3–7 minutes. Whether that matters depends on your total commute time and how much you value the other factors.
For commutes over 3 miles, the speed and hill-handling advantage of a bike becomes more significant. For commutes under 1.5 miles, the portability and no-lock convenience of a skateboard often wins.
Where skateboarding wins
Portability and storage
A mini cruiser (Penny board, Nickel board, or similar 22\"–27\" deck) fits inside most backpacks. A standard cruiser or longboard goes under your arm. There's no locking, no searching for bike racks, no "I can't bring this into the building" problem. This is skateboarding's biggest advantage over bikes.
If your commute involves any subway, bus, or indoor storage restriction, a skateboard wins clearly. Folding bikes exist but cost significantly more and have their own limitations.
Total cost
A solid commuter skateboard or cruiser costs $80–$200 and annual maintenance is under $50 for casual daily use. A comparable commuter bike costs $300–$600 new, plus lock ($30–$80), lights ($30–$60), helmet, and ongoing maintenance. The total cost of ownership over 2 years is significantly lower for a skateboard.
No parking/theft anxiety
Bike theft in urban areas is common. Locking outside requires a good lock ($50–$100), and even then, theft happens. A skateboard kept with you has essentially zero theft exposure during work hours.
Where bikes win
Hills
This is the clearest case for bikes. Going uphill on a skateboard means pushing, which is slower and more tiring than pedaling in a low gear on a bike. Going downhill, a bike's brakes give you controlled speed; on a skateboard, you footbrake or slide, which requires technique and gets slower as you're more conservative.
If your commute has significant elevation change, the hill handling alone may make a bike the right choice.
Longer distances
Beyond 2–3 miles, the combination of pushing fatigue, pavement variation, and speed differential makes bikes more practical. Longboards extend the comfortable range to 3–5 miles for experienced riders, but most people find constant pushing tiring beyond that.
Rough pavement
On a standard trick skateboard with hard wheels (99A–101A, 52–54mm), every crack and rough patch is a hazard. On a bike, most urban pavement is fine. A cruiser or longboard with soft wheels (78A–87A, 60–65mm) significantly closes this gap — but even a soft-wheeled longboard loses to a bike on genuinely bad pavement.
The rain problem
This is skateboarding's worst weakness for commuting:
- Wet pavement makes skateboard wheels significantly less grippy. Sliding out on a turn or while stopping is a genuine risk.
- Water damages bearings — even water-resistant bearings degrade faster with regular wet use.
- Wet grip tape loses traction for foot placement.
Practical reality: most skate commuters check the weather. On dry days, skateboard. On rain days, walk or take transit. If you live somewhere with frequent rain, this unpredictability may tip the balance toward a bike (which at least handles rain better with the right tires).
Which type of skateboard for commuting?
Not all skateboards are equal for commuting. Setup matters more for commuting than for any other use case.
| Board type | Best for | Key spec |
|---|---|---|
| Mini cruiser (22\"–27\") | Maximum portability; short flat commutes under 1 mile | Soft wheels 59–62mm 78A–85A; fits in backpack |
| Cruiser (28\"–34\") | 1–2 mile commutes; mix of portability and comfort | Soft wheels 60–65mm 78A–87A; riser pads likely needed |
| Longboard (38\"–46\") | 2–5 mile flat commutes; maximum speed and comfort | Large soft wheels 65–70mm 78A–85A; drop-through truck mount helps |
| Standard trick board | Not recommended for commuting | Hard wheels catch cracks; no push efficiency |
→ Setup guides: Mini Cruiser Guide | Cruiser Setup Guide | Longboard Setup Guide
Decision guide
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 1.5 miles, flat, good pavement | Skateboard/cruiser — portability wins, speed gap minimal |
| 1.5–3 miles, mostly flat | Either works; longboard for comfort, bike if you have hills |
| Over 3 miles | Bike — fatigue and speed make it the better choice |
| Significant hills on route | Bike — hill handling is decisive |
| No outdoor bike parking at destination | Skateboard — portability is critical |
| High theft area | Skateboard — keep it with you |
| Rainy climate (frequent rain) | Bike — more weather-reliable |
| Budget under $150 | Skateboard/cruiser — hard to get a decent commuter bike under $200 |
FAQ
Is skateboarding faster than walking?
Yes — on flat smooth pavement, skateboarders cruise at 7–12 mph vs 3–4 mph walking. A 1-mile commute takes 6–9 minutes on a cruiser and 15–20 minutes walking. On rough pavement or with frequent stops, the advantage is smaller. Uphill, you have to push or carry, which may be slower than walking.
Can you skateboard to work?
Yes — for distances under 2–3 miles on reasonably flat terrain with decent pavement. A cruiser or longboard with soft wheels is far better than a standard trick board. The main advantages: portability (carries indoors), no lock needed, low cost. The main limitations: hills require pushing or carrying, wet pavement is dangerous, and there's a real learning curve to pushing smoothly and confidently.
What type of skateboard is best for commuting?
A cruiser or longboard with soft wheels (78A–87A, 60–65mm) handles rough pavement and rolls efficiently. For maximum portability, a mini cruiser (22\"–27\") fits in a backpack. For longer distances and speed, a longboard (38\"–46\") covers ground faster. Avoid standard trick boards with hard wheels for commuting — they catch every crack and lose speed quickly.