Speeds of ICMEs observed in 1996–2012, including cycle 23 and the rise of cycle 24 with the yearly averaged ICME and solar wind speeds overlaid. Shaded regions indicate the first 4 years of each cycle. In the rise of cycle 23, the mean ICME speed is above the solar wind speed, and many ICMEs far exceed the mean solar wind speed. In cycle 24, the mean ICME and solar wind speeds are comparable, and few ICMEs have speeds much greater than the solar wind speed.