Food for thought alright
There are many solutions to tackle the SUV problem, which will need bold action from policymakers. These solutions – taxation, education and exclusion – have parallels with the successful campaign against cigarette smoking.
TBH you have not got a clue. None of the cars you mentioned have s towing capacity of 2 ton except certain models of the Tucson. Of the SUV farmers tended to gravitate towards a RAV, Vitara, Kia Sportage/ Sorrento or the Santa Fe.
The Santa Fe would have way more towing capacity than the rest. The reason that most farmers or builders choose diesels is because the engines develop more torque which you need when towing.
Most cars referred to as SUV'd are actually crossovers not SUV's. Unless you buy a AWD or 4WD model most have poor towing capacity
Ah I know that it wasn't meant literally
They look like farmers cars though even if they never put more than two wheels off the road.
Out of interest, where did you see that petrol vehicles can’t be designated as commercials?
Just to clarify, you can have a petrol engine commercial but you can't claim back the VAT on your fuel like a diesel.
A petrol engine commercial will be taxed, tested and insured as commercial.
I was talking to my accountant a few years back and they mentioned something about petrol fuel vat not being reclaimable, might have changed since.
https://www.accountsplus.ie/need-know-value-added-tax-vat/
Not really
i used to commute 20km each way by bike through dublin, and i can confirm that SUVs block the view of the road ahead, and just as crucially the view of the road behind them. i was able to see over your standard saloon car (~150cm tall) but not over many SUVs, and the issue generally was that drivers coming out of side roads would pull out if they could not see anything behind the SUV, and would not anticipate a cyclist would be there. i learned to weave sideways back and forth across my lane to compensate but still came close to coming a cropper on more than one occasion.
It would be exactly the same with most vans and trucks would be worse.
Was only saying to herself earlier "when was the last time you saw a Ford Ranger" ??? This time last year it was like I had blue car syndrome and I couldn't go for a walk or a spin or short drive and not see 5 or 6 in the space of a few km around town.
Guess the price of petrol and diesel going up was good for something.
Get a taller bike?
A penny farthing should do it.
They have a point though. I drive an estate and dread having an SUV to the right of me at some roundabouts. Can't see a thing. At least if it's a van you can sometimes get a partial view of oncoming traffic due to the short nose but no chance with an SUV there.
I'm sure they suit some people's lifestyles but they don't suit mine. I have an estate with a massive boot. We're often just throwing whatever in there for the kids and heading off for the day, I can't see it happening with an SUV. I like being lower and closer to the road.
He really needs a penny farthing bike.
He can see out over a SUV and everybody else can see him.
a spell of inflation may well purge the landscape of salon cars on stilts. Did you ever see the taliban driving around in a Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage or the likes, no because there not an SUV
Nothing says off-roader like, Taliban.
Yes, but there are a lot more private cars during rush hour traffic.
Hey, I think motorcycles weaving in and out through traffic are a menace, but I wouldn’t care enough to want them off the road. In rush hour traffic I often see bikes weaving, and I’ve seen a few riders come a cropper, mostly it was their own fault for not being patient and staying in their lane.
Again, on an open road, if you can’t see the road in front of the SUV, you are either on Ireland’s straightest 20km, or you are right up behind the SUV. Same for drivers turning out on to a road, they will see you if you are a safe distance behind the SUV.
You seem to make the assumption that all drivers see cyclists. Other motorists also claimed that they don't like SUVs robbing their eyelines on them, now imagine what it's like on a bike where a small but noticeable proportion of drivers won't see you and another bunch will see you but misjudge your speed.
Regarding the roads I was cycling on, the one where I probably noticed the issue most was newtownpark avenue near blackrock. My brakes got tested well on that road. Anyway, the point was other drivers not being able to see me behind the SUV. I'm not over 2m wide so it's trivial to find yourself 'hidden' behind a vehicle, and you don't need to be right up its arse to experience the issue of other drivers not seeing you.
If a rider is weaving in and out of traffic like we often see, a lot of saloon/hatch drivers don’t see them either. Like many, I’ve got a funny dash cam recording of a cyclist getting knocked off his bike because he thought he could weave through traffic and not bother to heed the red traffic light.
Not sure what that has to do with the discussion at hand?
SUVs, your dislike for them based on view, if you can’t see what is going on in front of them, you are up their arse.
Does Newtownpark ave have a cycle lane yet?
There are several reasons why cyclists cannot be seen. The main one is that most do not wear any visibility clothing. This is especially important when commuting during rush hour. Many do not even have lights on the bike.
They're not. Look at the tiny boots on them.
Because it affects everyone with their environmental destruction.
Depends on the model.
Cars should have those hivis stripes round them that lorries have.
This guy has obviously never cycled. That, or they just have terrible road craft.
I’ve a Peloton if that counts. 😜
I do not have a problem with that if it is necessary. The reality is that cars are lit up with lighting front and back. During winter months it's a requirement to have dipped headlights on from 5pm.
Trucks have reflective strips because of there length. They can be 15 meters in length overall.
However the rear light on some trucks and work vehicles is becoming over the top. Some are having multiple flashing beacons around the rear vehicle body on all the time. I notice this on NBI vans and on several trucks
at this point, i'm not sure if you're wilfully ignoring the point. i've stated several times that the particular context i am discussing is about *being seen* behind a vehicle.
for the record, there is a difference between seeing and being seen. just in case that needed clarification.
Are there some models that don't do damage to the environment?
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