4 ms·
We are likely reaching a point where it is becoming absurd, to have a huge, 4,000lbs vehicle carrying one person most of the time. Feels like an arm escalation
by llsf 3y ago
We are likely reaching a point where it is becoming absurd, to have a huge, 4,000lbs vehicle carrying one person most of the time. Feels like an arm escalation, I need a bigger and heavier vehicle so I feel safer.
Not sure what is the best way to bring some sense to this trend. Regulation could put some boundaries I guess. Clearly there is little incentives for car manufacturers to go small & light.
If that trend keeps going, I could see some cities banning cars in some streets (e.g. only bikes or pedestrians) as having foot traffic close to car traffic would become too dangerous.
- angarg12 3y agoI'm from Spain and during the last couple of decades cities have experimented a lot with urban planning, including turning streets into one way with broader sidewalks, or turning them pedestrian only. Anecdotally I can say that every street turned pedestrian has been wildly popular, massively revitalizing the area. You can also check out Barcelona Superblocks [1] [1] https://www.google.com/search?q=barcelona+superblocks&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS1045US1045&oq=barcelona+superblocks&aqs=chrome..69i57.448j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://www.google.com/search?q=barcelona+superblocks&rlz=1C...
- tsunamifury 3y agoI'm not meaning to take away from what you are saying, but your blocks are some of the very best pedestrian designed and sized the world. American blocks are by and large, boring, stupid and hugely oversized. Making them pedestrian only would solve nothing when most towns in america are covered it "Stroads"
- foxyv 3y agoSince you know about StrongTowns you probably already know this but I'll leave this here. This is why, in the USA, we need to address the regulations that require us to build houses like this: Offsets, R1 zoning, height restrictions, minimum parking, road width requirements, etc...
- willio58 3y agoA busy road in the downtown area of my city has been under construction for a while recently. It's entirely cut down on car traffic because all the cars are diverted, and what's really cool to see is there's been a significant bump in pedestrians in the area since the cars have left. When the construction hours end, the street is silent and clear and people are crossing between neighborhoods without any difficulty. Of course, because I live in the US, this is only temporary and once the road is "fixed", they'll allow the loud and dangerous cars to take it over once again. I do have some hope with lots of recent news around this topic that younger generations will fight to remove cars in unnecessary corridors.
- barbazoo 3y agoPricing in externalities I think and as others here have said. Make it reflect the true cost to drive a gigantic truck.
- soggybread 3y agoIt's gotten to the point where I feel like I'm being greedy driving my little '09 eco hatchback instead of my motorcycle and how much weight a subsequent fuel is being carried around and burnt to move me through the town on my way to work. 2800lbs vs 366lbs
- cookingmyserver 3y agoWhat is mind blowing to me is how little weight impacts the fuel efficiency in my situation. I get ~58 MPG on my 385lb bike and ~55-60 MPG in my 3,500lb Prius prime. Obviously the regen helps, but still it is crazy how efficient the Prius is.
- alamortsubite 3y agoWind resistance is a lot of it, but also I imagine the power-to-weight ratio of your bike is much greater than your Prius'.
- 93po 3y agoThis is more a reflection of your motorcycle engine favoring power, low weight, low emissions, and low cost of production over efficiency. There are people with DIY efforts that can get something like a 125cc 9 horsepower Honda engine to get over 200MPG at around 230 pounds and 55 MPH
- RhysU 3y agoWhat were the total emissions to make the Prius vs the motorcycle? MPG is only post-production.
- dahfizz 3y agoIt's extremely frustrating as a car enthusiast. Even a tiny 2 door sports car like the bmw m240 is almost 4000 pounds! I want a fast, light car that isn't 20+ years old and falling apart.
- marklubi 3y agoAs an M240 owner, it amazes me how much it weighs. It’s such a small car, and so lively and well handling. My ‘05 Mustang weighs less, and if it wasn’t for the handling changes I made to it (sway bars, coil-overs, control arms, and more), the BMW would still handle better.
- zemvpferreira 3y agoThis is going to come across as bitchy but: Put your money where your mouth is. Stop giving BMR money and buy a Caterham instead.
- 6D794163636F756 3y agoAs I have come to learn, Miata is always the answer clocking in at a measly 2,400lb. The katerham advice is good if you're willing to go kit car though.
- JeremyNT 3y agoWe own a Volkswagen GTI. I don't know if it's fast enough for you, but it's no slouch and it's a totally normal sized car.
- joebiden2 3y agoI'm curious as to why you chose that particular vehicle. It's an interesting choice for someone on HN. What convinced you that this car was right for you?
- adolph 3y agoA Tesla Model 3 doesn't seem "huge" but can weight heavier than 4k lbs. Long-Range/Performance AWD: 4,072 lb https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3
- willio58 3y ago> to have a huge, 4,000lbs vehicle carrying one person most of the time. For American EV trucks, you can go ahead and double that weight. The 2022 EV Hummer has a 9,063 lbs curb weight. Just imagine the toll that takes on our roads. Absolutely disgusting, and now imagine what happens when one of those T-bones a Corolla. Instant death becomes the best outcome for the person driving the Corolla.
- neogodless 3y agoNot to diminish your point, but the GM electric trucks are extra hefty! The Ford variety isn't quite so shameful. Ford F-150 Lightning 6,015 to 6,893 lbs Rivian R1T 7,148 lbs Silverado EV 8,532 lbs