Oh yeah- it is way faster than riding a bike and actually faster than running or rollerblading. I probably move at 10-12 mph on flats. I am just a little slower than average city cyclists (not roadies). My commute involves about 1.3 miles of road, a packed subway ride, and eight flights of stairs. This scooter probably saves me 15 minutes or more per day. An hour a week. 50 hours per year. That is a TON of time saved. I have a folding bike, but for my commute, the Xootr scooter is a real transportation solution and I haven't found anything else that's even close.