Fastest bicycle speed on a flat surface (outdoor), motor-paced, male

What to remember

Tucked in behind a motorbike on a flat outdoor surface, Neil Campbell rode a bicycle at 280.571 km/h (174.339 mph) in 2019. His mark sits in the men's category for motor-paced speed.

Why the pacing vehicle? At such speeds, air resistance is far too strong for a rider pedalling in open air. The vehicle in front breaks the wind and opens up speeds that ordinary racing could never reach.

Cycling records make up a long list, because the sport covers very different equipment, terrain and rules: single-speed bikes, highly aerodynamic recumbents, downhill runs or low-friction surfaces. No single mark can claim to name the fastest cyclist. Recognised records are verified by bodies such as the Union Cycliste Internationale or the human-powered vehicle associations.