diff --git a/benches/bench.rs b/benches/bench.rs
index 36372eb..871714e 100644
--- a/benches/bench.rs
+++ b/benches/bench.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 // except according to those terms.
 
 #![feature(test)]
+#![feature(hint_assert_unchecked)]
 
 extern crate bit_vec;
 extern crate rand;
@@ -76,6 +77,60 @@ fn bench_bit_set_small(b: &mut Bencher) {
     });
 }
 
+#[bench]
+fn bench_bit_get_checked_small(b: &mut Bencher) {
+    let mut r = small_rng();
+    let size = 200;
+    let mut bit_vec = BitVec::from_elem(size, false);
+    for _ in 0..20 {
+        bit_vec.set((r.next_u32() as usize) % size, true);
+    }
+    let bit_vec = black_box(bit_vec);
+    b.iter(|| {
+        for _ in 0..100 {
+            black_box(bit_vec.get((r.next_u32() as usize) % size));
+        }
+    });
+}
+
+#[bench]
+fn bench_bit_get_unchecked_small(b: &mut Bencher) {
+    let mut r = small_rng();
+    let size = 200;
+    let mut bit_vec = BitVec::from_elem(size, false);
+    for _ in 0..20 {
+        bit_vec.set((r.next_u32() as usize) % size, true);
+    }
+    let bit_vec = black_box(bit_vec);
+    b.iter(|| {
+        for _ in 0..100 {
+            unsafe {
+                black_box(bit_vec.get_unchecked((r.next_u32() as usize) % size));
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
+#[bench]
+fn bench_bit_get_unchecked_small_assume(b: &mut Bencher) {
+    let mut r = small_rng();
+    let size = 200;
+    let mut bit_vec = BitVec::from_elem(size, false);
+    for _ in 0..20 {
+        bit_vec.set((r.next_u32() as usize) % size, true);
+    }
+    let bit_vec = black_box(bit_vec);
+    b.iter(|| {
+        for _ in 0..100 {
+            unsafe {
+                let idx = (r.next_u32() as usize) % size;
+                ::std::hint::assert_unchecked(!(idx >= bit_vec.len()));
+                black_box(bit_vec.get(idx));
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
 #[bench]
 fn bench_bit_vec_big_or(b: &mut Bencher) {
     let mut b1 = BitVec::from_elem(BENCH_BITS, false);
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 74702f2..bd9b333 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -554,14 +554,33 @@ impl<B: BitBlock> BitVec<B> {
             .map(|&block| (block & (B::one() << b)) != B::zero())
     }
 
+    /// Retrieves the value at index `i`, without doing bounds checking.
+    ///
+    /// For a safe alternative, see `get`.
+    ///
+    /// # Safety
+    ///
+    /// Calling this method with an out-of-bounds index is undefined behavior
+    /// even if the resulting reference is not used.
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
+    ///
+    /// ```
+    /// use bit_vec::BitVec;
+    ///
+    /// let bv = BitVec::from_bytes(&[0b01100000]);
+    /// unsafe {
+    ///     assert_eq!(bv.get_unchecked(0), false);
+    ///     assert_eq!(bv.get_unchecked(1), true);
+    /// }
+    /// ```
     #[inline]
-    pub fn get_unchecked(&self, i: usize) -> bool {
+    pub unsafe fn get_unchecked(&self, i: usize) -> bool {
         self.ensure_invariant();
         let w = i / B::bits();
         let b = i % B::bits();
-        self.storage.get(w).map(|&block|
-            (block & (B::one() << b)) != B::zero()
-        ).unwrap()
+        let block = *self.storage.get_unchecked(w);
+        block & (B::one() << b) != B::zero()
     }
 
     /// Sets the value of a bit at an index `i`.