https://usa.streetsblog.org/2023/04/13/ ... -they-hit/Moreover, SUVs were the only vehicles in the sample that actually ran cyclists over, while sedans almost universally pushed cyclists up onto the vehicle’s hood or roof. That critical difference, the researchers speculate, has to do with the size and shape of the SUV’s front end
Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
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Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby trailgumby » Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:26 pm
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby MichaelB » Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:47 am
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Cyclophiliac » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:33 am
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby trailgumby » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:41 am
Agreed, but as you've seen from a number of members here, owners go into denial. Having the truth in the form of objective data on their impacts won't eliminate the human capacity for self-deception but it does provide ammunition for helping to hold the manufacturers of these dangerous, antisocial vehicles to account. It also helps with creating peer pressure to choose better next time.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby redsonic » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:58 am
I would never have known that it was the drivers doing the striking in the mainstream news media....Just like pedestrians, bicyclists who are struck by SUV drivers endure significantly more severe injuries — particularly to the head — than those struck by the drivers of smaller cars
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby MichaelB » Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:05 am
Data is one thing, but human nature is another.trailgumby wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:41 am
Agreed, but as you've seen from a number of members here, owners go into denial. Having the truth in the form of objective data on their impacts won't eliminate the human capacity for self-deception but it does provide ammunition for helping to hold the manufacturers of these dangerous, antisocial vehicles to account. It also helps with creating peer pressure to choose better next time.
I’ve seen NOTHING to date that shows anyone altering a vehicular purchase based on potential injury to anyone outside of their car.
I might be wrong though ….
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Mr Purple » Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:24 pm
I'm pretty sure some SUV drivers buy/modify their vehicles in such a way to maximise potential injury to anyone outside their car. I agree, not 'minimise' though.
My opinion is the predominance of SUVs on our roads is a direct byproduct of people being unable to rationalise properly. 'I have too much stuff' - buy a bigger car and house to fit more stuff. 'I'm overweight and infirm' - buy a bigger car that's easier to get in and out of. 'I occasionally have to carry five passengers and drive on the footpath to better park' - buy a bigger car to do these things.
If anyone had an ounce of sense they'd know the real answer is to throw out some stuff, lose some weight, and tell their kid's mates to find their own way home. But they don't. To me the ultimate sign that someone makes poor life decisions is those families that show up to the park with those little trolleys absolutely crammed full of rubbish. If you feel your young kids absolutely need two fold out soccer goals to play at the park with their mates, I hate to think how much other rubbish you have crammed into your house and car (a pet hate of mine, probably irrational!).
So we end up in an arms race because people are too stupid to throw stuff out. Simple legislation is the answer. I have no idea why registration isn't simply based on vehicle weight. It seems stupid that Landcruisers are pushing three tonnes now and yet pay the same annual registration bill (in Queensland at least) as my 1500kg hatchback.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby jaseyjase » Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:58 pm
Reminds me of a conversation i had with my old man, he had a GQ patrol fitted with a bullbar (think roo killer)
He always said cars were less likely to pull out infront of him, either out of side streets or turning right across him because they were scared to get hit.
He then switched to a merc and instantly noticed drivers not thinking twice about pulling out infront of him.
An observation more than anything, i can also tell you parallel parking in that beast taught me some skills when i was learner!
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby g-boaf » Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:17 pm
He should have got a G63 6x6 - everyone would give way to 4000kg of that enormous 6x6 machine.
When everyone has Landcruisers, V8 Patrols, GLS Mercs and X7 BMWs, you have to step up the game to something larger.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Mr Purple » Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:26 pm
Incidentally the one car I've ever owned that people actually respected was my $70 rusted as all buggery 1979 Valiant. It was large, yes, but more importantly it looked so thoroughly disreputable that whoever saw it immediately assumed that the driver a) had nothing to lose, and b) was probably a serial killer.
I don't think anyone ever cut me off in that thing. Which was good, because it had approximately the stopping distance and turning circle as a supertanker. It's in my garage still but I think I've restored it too nicely. I should put some spray on rust on it or something.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby rkelsen » Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:18 pm
Spoken like someone who doesn't have teenage kids or elderly parents.
The station wagon has always been a practical choice for families.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby JPB » Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:43 pm
And that means my SUV must be bigger than yours to keep me safe.
The mega utes are a hazard to me because they make my blood boil.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Tim » Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:20 pm
+100JPB wrote: The mega utes are a hazard to me because they make my blood boil.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby skyblot » Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:39 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN7mSXM ... tJustBikes
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Mr Purple » Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:46 pm
I’m the eldest of five. We had a Tarago. And only got that at the 4 kid point. And we never filled that Tarago with as much junk as I see people take to the park with those stupid trolley things (probably not exactly being rich helped).
You are correct in that manufacturers no longer supply options. I love a good station wagon; have you tried buying one these days?
There’s about four to choose from. All up. And each manufacturer seems to have at least four almost identical SUVs. Better profit margins.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Thoglette » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:02 pm
This the problem with the term SUV: it is applied to everything from a Suzuki Jimny to the Dodge RAM.
Even a single model name can range from sensible to silly, E.g. the Hilux or Ranger whose base models are staid work utilities but whose “top end” models once “optioned up” are almost a foot wider.And that’s before reaching for the aftermarket bits.
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby bychosis » Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:06 pm
And even worse it also covers the CX3, HRV, Yaris cross etc that are just slightly taller small hatchbacks and all manner of ‘regular cars’ but just taller. No good for hitting the beach or bush tracks, basically just not as low to the ground.
Say SUV to 10 different people and you’ll get answers as different as a Landcruiser and an ASX.
Sure, some SUVs are hulking 4wds but lots are just modern cars.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby g-boaf » Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:30 am
A normal station wagon is more practical anyway in most cases than a modern stylish SUV.MichaelB wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:24 pmWe had a child (and still have) and don’t feel the need for a humongous SUV that never saw dirt.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby fat and old » Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:43 am
Spoken by someone who's never made the 500 + m trek down to the beach for a day trip with 2 or more kids under 6!
I am insanely jealous of those people in a retrospective way
On "SUVs" (I think along the same lines as Thoglette here. Define SUV when you're having a say.) I've found that the people most likely to try the intimidation trick in my area are Merc users...MLs, GLS types and Beemer X6 and up types. And I live in a world of twin cab Rangers and Hiluxes. I define intimidation as trying to force an issue.....tailgating, attempted cut offs, swerving towards you etc.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby rkelsen » Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:36 am
Yes, I have. You can't.
I'd disagree with that. A 7 seat Kia or Hyundai is quite practical for carrying lots of stuff. We can get the kids and parents (or in-laws) in with all their stuff. Everyone's comfortable, no-one's squashed in.
With the seats down, I've had 4 adult sized bikes in the back... with all wheels still attached.
You can't do either of those things with a station wagon.
Practicality: https://youtu.be/3IZmH31eoz0?t=756
Disclaimer: No connection with the reviewer, but his reviews are usually worth watching.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby g-boaf » Sat Apr 22, 2023 1:34 pm
Most SUVs now have the load area compromised by style, the back must be sloped away to be a "coupe". Cupra Tavascan another example of that just launched today.
There are still a few good "real" traditional wagons on sale. And I see Victoria Police seem to have 5 series wagons, so it's obviously possible to get them if you push the issue. And you can also get Alpina 3 and 5 series derivatives in wagon versions. So there is no technical problem, probably just a matter of complaining at the importers loudly enough.
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Re: Study: SUV Drivers Cause 55% Worse Injuries To Bicyclists They Hit
Postby Mr Purple » Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:47 pm
https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/best ... st-wagons/
An Octavia RS wagon would be a nice thing. I had the hatch version in an RS and it'd fit bikes in the back without removing a wheel.
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