So disappointed...

[Barcode]

It's like finding the first scratch on a new car...

Flipping through Urban Arcana, I come across the much ballyhooed Bicycling rules.

Check this - for a top of the line, aerodynamic 10-speed bike (first cue there - when was the last time a top of the line bike was 10 speed?), the maximum, (maximum!) speed is 6 squares per round. 30 feet per round. Like, 3.4 miles per hour. Same as walking.

For those who have never been on a bike before (like the designers, editors and playtesters of UA), 10mph on level ground is an easy cruising speed to reach if you are not a cardiac patient. The average speed on the Tour de France is around 25mph. And that's factoring in riding up Alps and stuff.

Sigh. Another entry for Murphy's Rules.

-B-

 

[Ranger REG]

Hmm. Trying to figure out the numbers here. The sidebar says you can reach Street Speed if you perform a full-round action; that's 50 squares per round in character scale.

AFAIC, the single-digit values in the table are the bicycle's combat speed, where you can move in one round and still perform an attack action but you won't lose your Dex.

 

[Barcode]

Here's the lowdown on bicycle top speeds and proper vehicle sizes:

Bicycles should have the following top speeds on Table 2-6:

Diamondback X-20: 40 (4)
LeMond Victoire: 50 (5)
Mongoose Fuzz Pro: 30 (3)

The sizes given in the vehicle descriptions are largely incorrect. Here's a rundown of their proper sizes. If I don't list a vehicle, its size in the book is correct.

Police Cruiser: 2 squares by 4 squares
Dodge Intrepid Police Interceptor: 2 squares by 4 squares
Ford Econoline 150: 2 squares by 4 squares
Jeep Wrangler: 2 squares by 3 squares
Perterbil 379: Including a full-sized trailer, the vehicle is 2 squares wide and 14 squares long. The cab alone is 5 squares long.
Tow Truck: 2 squares by 4 squares
V-Rod: 1 square by 2 squares
Police Motorcycle: 1 square by 2 squares
Fishing Trawler: 4 squares by 16 squares
Tug Boat: 4 squares by 18 squares
Fire Truck: 2 squares by 6 squares
Police Peacekeeper: 2 squares by 4 squares

--------------------
Charles Ryan
Editor, RPG R&D
Wizards of the Coast

Mr. Ryan comes through again with a speedy resolution to the problem. I gotta say I love the support that the system is getting from WotC.