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Feet per second - a good read

24K views 34 replies 22 participants last post by  TCormier  
#1 ·
I am bored, so I felt like starting a Thread for newbies to understand more about some things to consider when riding.

There are 5280 feet in 1 mile. To calculated Feet per second you will need to divide by 3600, since there are 3600 seconds in 1 hour. this is the result:

1mph = 1.466666666666667 feet per second.

This is the base line to calculate feet per second at a given speed.
Common legal speed limits:
15mph = 22fps
25mph = 37fps
30mph = 44fps
35mph = 55fps
45mph = 66fps
55mph = 81fps
65mph = 95fps
70mph = 103fps
75mph = 110fps

Consider how long it takes you to react to a situation, if it takes you .5-1.5 seconds to react realize how much ground you have already covered, do you know how far those numbers are from your current location?

Here are some numbers for the 100mph+ guys:

100mph = 147fps (about half a football field)
110mph = 161fps
120mph = 176fps
130mph = 191fps
140mph = 205fps
150mph = 220fps
160mph = 235fps
170mph = 249fps
 
#3 ·
no only you.
 
#5 ·
This is a well thought out and apparently well researched post we should all be taking very seriously.

Thanks to binx_19 for posting it.

It should probably be a sticky.
 
#6 ·
always boogles my mind how peope don't know this but yeah- very very important information to understand.

Thanks for posting up :)
 
#9 ·
that is just over 204mph, that is hauling some ass
 
#19 ·
Ok those are scary numbers.. Got me thinking about how fast I can react to a sittuation.. and how much room I need to anticipate for. Results scared me enough to break out a calculator.. which almost never happens.

if going at 65mph your doing 95fps - That leaves very little room for error..
Considering the average Reaction time speed is 215 milliseconds.
Human Benchmark - Reaction Time Stats
*apply some cross multiplication (did I do this right?) and you travel 20 feet before your mind even comprehends what is happening..

at 100 mph you travel almost 32 feet. thats the leangth of a standard trailer that sits on the back of a truck.

(I hope my math is wrong)
 
#23 ·
Consider how far ahead you can see/ scan in traffic/ on the street and recognise any type of hazard whether it be a turning car, gravel, animals, curve. Then realize the time/ distance it would take to react if something is in the way of your path of travel.
If you can't see far enough ahead just give yourself some time/ space.




.02
 
#28 ·
Also light travels at 186,000 miles per second. Sound takes almost 7 seconds per mile. This difference in speed between light and sound explains why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
 
#32 ·
One thing to keep in mind is that braking distance squares with every doubling in speed. So in addition to reaction time, you also have that to consider. Doubling your speed approximately quadruples stopping distance (assuming no brake fade).