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I don't know how big offroading is in the UK but here in the US offroading is really big and the Tacoma (closest thing we have to the Hilux) is one of the most

I don't know how big offroading is in the UK but here in the US offroading is really big and the Tacoma (closest thing we have to the Hilux) is one of the most popular options. While I concede that there should be questions about the environmental impact of all of it, I overall think it's a net positive to get people outdoors, and offroading is another avenue that people can use. I think the agency is missing the forest for the trees here, you want to encourage people to get out and about. When you only consider the emissions it's a net negative, but when you extrapolate and start thinking about the benefits to society when you have more people going out, being active, etc, it becomes a net positive. Also typically you do not do much driving (distance wise) when offroad. Average speeds are anywhere between 10-30MPH depending on what you're going over and it's typically over relatively short distances (10 miles offroad might take you an hour+ to traverse).

zarzavat 3y ago
Most of the UK is either agricultural land, towns, or a few national parks. There’s not really anywhere to go offroading. The main reason people buy SUVs is for status, to pick up kids from school, that’s why they have the nickname “Chelsea tractors”. UK streets were designed for horses, not cars, thus a lot of people don’t really like them because they don’t fit.
LeafItAlone 3y ago
At face value, it doesn’t seem like encouraging more off-roading is a positive for the environment. I’ve been involved in some very light off roading, but nothing like what comes to mind for most people. https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_t3200_1081.pdf https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_t32... > While I concede that there should be questions about the environmental impact of all of it, I overall think it's a net positive to get people outdoors, and offroading is another avenue that people can use. I fully encourage getting people outdoors more, but surely we must balance the relative impacts. And to be clear, I don’t have enough information on which way to land on this particular question.
- xkqd 3y ago
  I believer that commenter was mostly focused on the positives of getting people outside and touching grass. On that note, there is certainly a balance that can exist between enjoying the outdoors and minimizing damage. This is also true for more aggressive activities, like off-roading, dirt bikes, and even gentler activities that impact the land like primitive camping. The UK is quite tight on space, but in the US it can all responsibly coexist.
petre 3y ago
In (Western and Central) Europe one doesn't need a car to be active, they can usually take the train and then hike or bike or XC ski.
autoexec 3y ago
> I don't know how big offroading is in the UK but here in the US offroading is really big I'd be willing to bet that in the US it's a very very small percentage of people who own SUVs that do any kind of offroading.
- HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago
  I don't know what the percentage is, but it's enough to support purpose-specific offroad parks, businesses that specialize in building/repairing/improving off road trucks & SUVs, ATV and UTV dealerships, and so on. I'd guess it's somewhere between "really big" and "very, very small." And also very regional.
  - Libcat99 3y ago
    I know a couple folks, including family, who have spent tons of money modifying their vehicles for off-roading. Lifted, added light bars, full size spare taking up the whole bed, the works. I'm sure someone somewhere actually uses it, but they don't.
    - autoexec 3y ago
      You mean you know multiple people who spent all that money and don't ever take the thing off-road? Do they plan to at some point or was it always intended to be strictly for show?
      - HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago
        Not surprising. Many people do that just for show. OTOH, many people, including my former self, spend buttloads of money on the vehicle in ways that aren't even visible and take it offroad, finding all the weak spots, ripping them out, spending even more money on tougher stuff... and the circle of life continues.
      - Libcat99 3y ago
        For show. Brother in law often complains he can't carry anything in his truck because of the giant tire in the back.
hgomersall 3y ago
Being in a car is not being outdoors. You're literally behind a door.

zarzavat 3y ago

Most of the UK is either agricultural land, towns, or a few national parks. There’s not really anywhere to go offroading. The main reason people buy SUVs is for status, to pick up kids from school, that’s why they have the nickname “Chelsea tractors”. UK streets were designed for horses, not cars, thus a lot of people don’t really like them because they don’t fit.

LeafItAlone 3y ago

At face value, it doesn’t seem like encouraging more off-roading is a positive for the environment. I’ve been involved in some very light off roading, but nothing like what comes to mind for most people. https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_t3200_1081.pdf https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_t32... > While I concede that there should be questions about the environmental impact of all of it, I overall think it's a net positive to get people outdoors, and offroading is another avenue that people can use. I fully encourage getting people outdoors more, but surely we must balance the relative impacts. And to be clear, I don’t have enough information on which way to land on this particular question.

xkqd 3y ago
I believer that commenter was mostly focused on the positives of getting people outside and touching grass. On that note, there is certainly a balance that can exist between enjoying the outdoors and minimizing damage. This is also true for more aggressive activities, like off-roading, dirt bikes, and even gentler activities that impact the land like primitive camping. The UK is quite tight on space, but in the US it can all responsibly coexist.

petre 3y ago

In (Western and Central) Europe one doesn't need a car to be active, they can usually take the train and then hike or bike or XC ski.

autoexec 3y ago

> I don't know how big offroading is in the UK but here in the US offroading is really big I'd be willing to bet that in the US it's a very very small percentage of people who own SUVs that do any kind of offroading.

HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago
I don't know what the percentage is, but it's enough to support purpose-specific offroad parks, businesses that specialize in building/repairing/improving off road trucks & SUVs, ATV and UTV dealerships, and so on. I'd guess it's somewhere between "really big" and "very, very small." And also very regional.
- Libcat99 3y ago
  I know a couple folks, including family, who have spent tons of money modifying their vehicles for off-roading. Lifted, added light bars, full size spare taking up the whole bed, the works. I'm sure someone somewhere actually uses it, but they don't.
  - autoexec 3y ago
    You mean you know multiple people who spent all that money and don't ever take the thing off-road? Do they plan to at some point or was it always intended to be strictly for show?
    - HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago
      Not surprising. Many people do that just for show. OTOH, many people, including my former self, spend buttloads of money on the vehicle in ways that aren't even visible and take it offroad, finding all the weak spots, ripping them out, spending even more money on tougher stuff... and the circle of life continues.
    - Libcat99 3y ago
      For show. Brother in law often complains he can't carry anything in his truck because of the giant tire in the back.

hgomersall 3y ago

Being in a car is not being outdoors. You're literally behind a door.