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333 Km/h Rocket-Powered Bicycle Sets New Speed Record

Posted by timothy on from the hope-they-used-a-good-zamboni dept.

Dave Knott writes François Gissy of France has claimed a new bicycle speed record. As you might guess, he was not pedalling – he was seated atop a hydrogen peroxide-powered rocket with three thrusters fastened to the frame of an elongated, but otherwise ordinary-looking bicycle. In a video posted on YouTube that announces the record, a Ferrari racing the bike is left far behind within seconds of leaving the starting line. The bike, designed by Gissy's friend, Arnold Neracher, reached its top speed of 333 km/h (207mph) in just 4.8 seconds and 250 metres. According to Guinness World Records, the fastest speed ever for a bicycle that wasn't rocket powered was 268.831 km/h by Fred Rompelberg of the Netherlands, riding behind a wind-shield fitted dragster in 1995 and assisted by the slipstream of the car. The current unassisted bicycle speed record is 133.8 km/h — a record that a team in Toronto is trying to break.

5 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. If I strap a rocket to my back by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 5, Insightful

    can I claim the fastest jogging speed? I'm sure I can break that 333km/h in 4.8 seconds. Just before getting smeared across the pavement, of course.

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    If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
  2. bike? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How is this a bike and not a motorcycle?

    Powered. No pedaling...

    1. Re:bike? by MerlynEmrys67 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Have to agree with you on this one. It has an engine - it isn't a bicycle that is human powered. I hate these new "Eco-Electric" bikes... not sure they should count all though at least they do have pedals and you can power a crappy bike with human power.

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      I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them
    2. Re:bike? by plover · · Score: 4, Insightful

      How is this a bike and not a motorcycle?

      It's neither. It is a rocket that happens to have two wheels hanging beneath it, and Wile E. Coyote hanging onto a crossbar above it.

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      John
  3. Bike cannon by MobyDisk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So if I shoot a bike out of a cannon can I win the record for fastest bike? How about if I strap it to an airplane?

    Shame on the author of the article though. This is a truly awesome creation. But focusing on the "record breaking" aspect taints the accomplishment. It shifts the discussion from "hey, look at this cool thing!! Awesome!!!!!" to "That's cheating!"