I think this depends, and I'd like to see numbers on it. When I commuted by bike to work, I would go at a gentle pace so that I didn't end up drenched in sweat

I think this depends, and I'd like to see numbers on it. When I commuted by bike to work, I would go at a gentle pace so that I didn't end up drenched in sweat. Lots of my coworkers also just cruised in and very few of them showered at the office after arriving. I think in cities, bike commuters generally just try to go at a safe speed that isn't too exhausting. The furthest anyone in my office rode one way was about 10 miles, and that guy hustled and did competitions. He certainly was the outlier.