Calories Burned Cycling in San Francisco, CA
Estimate calories burned doing cycling in San Francisco, California. Uses 8 MET plus a local mediterranean climate planning adjustment (58°F avg).
Cycling Calorie Calculator for San Francisco
Cycling in San Francisco for 30 minutes
290 kcal
MET 8 · 73 kg · 581 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in San Francisco
Moderate temperatures are close to standard exercise-estimate assumptions, so this page uses the base MET calculation.
San Francisco, California has a mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F and 11 months suitable for outdoor exercise. For cycling here, Calorique uses the base MET calculation because the local temperature is close to moderate exercise-planning conditions.
Source & Accuracy Notes
This is a planning calculator. It uses the standard MET approach for estimated activity energy cost, then applies a small local climate adjustment for outdoor conditions. Your real calorie burn can differ because of pace, fitness level, terrain, wind, humidity, clothing, equipment, body composition, and tracker accuracy.
Calorie Burn by Duration (San Francisco)
How many calories you burn during cycling at different durations in San Francisco's mediterranean climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | San Francisco Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 145 kcal | 145 kcal | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 290 kcal | 290 kcal | 0 |
| 45 minutes | 435 kcal | 435 kcal | 0 |
| 60 minutes | 581 kcal | 581 kcal | 0 |
| 90 minutes | 871 kcal | 871 kcal | 0 |
| 120 minutes | 1161 kcal | 1161 kcal | 0 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing cycling for 30 minutes per session in San Francisco, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
3,767
calories per month
45,240 cal/year
= ~12.9 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
6,279
calories per month
75,400 cal/year
= ~21.5 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. The 0% climate adjustment for San Francisco is a planning estimate, not a guarantee.
Cycling Tips for San Francisco's Climate
- With 11 months suitable for outdoor exercise, take advantage of year-round outdoor cycling opportunities.
- Adjust your seat height so your knee has a slight bend at the bottom of each pedal stroke
- Maintain a cadence of 70-90 RPM for optimal efficiency
San Francisco Fitness Overview
San Francisco, California (pop. 873,965): Calorique's modeled city profile estimates a Calorique index of 83/100, about 11.2 gyms per 100K residents, and a walkability estimate of 89. The same model estimates 7,800 average daily steps and about 2,410 calories burned per day, and highlights cycling, yoga, hiking as activities suited to the local climate. These profile figures are planning estimates, not official city statistics or survey results. Measured public-health context from CDC PLACES (2023 data): 17.5% of San Francisco adults have obesity (19.4 pts below the U.S. places median) and 19.1% report no leisure-time physical activity (7.5 pts below the U.S. places median).
Calorique index (estimate)
83/100
Walkability (est.)
89
Adult Obesity (CDC PLACES 2023)
17.5%
Outdoor Months
11
Obesity source: CDC PLACES 2024 release (BRFSS 2022/2023 model-based estimates), crude prevalence among adults; 2023 data year. Full health snapshot on the San Francisco fitness page.
Other Activities in San Francisco, CA
Walking
MET 3.5 · Low
~127 cal / 30 min
Brisk Walking
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Stair Climbing
MET 9 · High
~327 cal / 30 min
Circuit Training
MET 7.5 · High
~272 cal / 30 min
Calisthenics
MET 3.8 · Moderate
~138 cal / 30 min
Basketball
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Baseball
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Beach Volleyball
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Cycling in Other California Cities
New York, NY
49°F · Temperate
~299 cal / 30 min
Los Angeles, CA
65°F · Mediterranean
~290 cal / 30 min
Chicago, IL
55°F · Continental
~290 cal / 30 min
Denver, CO
50°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Seattle, WA
47°F · Temperate
~299 cal / 30 min
Portland, OR
52°F · Temperate
~299 cal / 30 min
Austin, TX
64°F · Subtropical
~290 cal / 30 min
Tucson, AZ
70°F · Arid
~290 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Cycling in San Francisco
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for San Francisco:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 8 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 8 for cycling is based on the Compendium of Physical Activities: where the Compendium has a matching row Calorique uses it, and for activities without a dedicated row (for example branded or mixed workouts) the value is Calorique's closest-row planning estimate. The climate factor of 1.00 is Calorique's planning adjustment for San Francisco's average temperature of 58°F. Use it to compare scenarios, then rely on consistent tracking and body-weight trends for personal calibration.
Cycling at a moderate pace of 12-14 mph provides an excellent low-impact cardiovascular workout. It is easier on the joints than running while still delivering significant calorie burn and leg strength development. Cycling can be done outdoors on roads or trails, or indoors on a stationary bike. Regular cycling improves heart health, builds leg muscle endurance, and can be integrated into daily commuting for effortless exercise.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does cycling burn in San Francisco, CA?
A 160 lb person burns about 290 calories during 30 minutes of cycling in San Francisco. This is a planning estimate using 8 MET plus Calorique's local climate adjustment for San Francisco's 58°F average temperature.
Does San Francisco's climate affect calories burned during cycling?
It can affect perceived effort, hydration needs, clothing, terrain choices, and thermoregulation. San Francisco has a mediterranean climate averaging 58°F. Calorique applies a 0% planning adjustment, but actual burn varies by pace, fitness, wind, humidity, clothing, and surface.
What is the best time to do cycling in San Francisco?
San Francisco's moderate climate (avg 58°F) with an estimated 11 outdoor-friendly months makes cycling comfortable most of the year. The best time is the one you can repeat consistently; choose cooler hours on warm days and daylight hours when footing or visibility is a concern.
How many calories per month can I burn doing cycling in San Francisco?
At your current weight, doing cycling for 30 minutes in San Francisco: 3 sessions/week estimates ~3,767 cal/month (45,240 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week estimates ~6,279 cal/month (75,400 cal/year). Treat this as planning math, not a precise weight-loss forecast.
Is cycling popular in San Francisco, CA?
Calorique does not have a local participation survey for San Francisco, but cycling is one of the activities Calorique highlights for the city based on its mediterranean climate and an estimated 11 months of outdoor exercise weather. CDC PLACES (2024 release, 2023 data) estimates 17.5% adult obesity in San Francisco and 19.1% of adults with no leisure-time physical activity (median of U.S. places in CDC PLACES: 36.9% and 26.6%). Calorique's modeled city profile lists a walkability estimate of 89, about 11.2 gyms per 100K residents, and a Calorique index of 83/100; these are planning estimates, not official local statistics.