tandempower

This article claims SUVs are more dangerous because of their higher hoods and heavier weight, and that increases in pedestrian deaths are statistically linked to increasing popularity of SUVs. Do you agree? I have generally found most truck drivers to be very conscientious drivers when it comes to pedestrians and cyclists, but of course there are those who drive by and rev the motor. Are you intimidated by SUVs? If their popularity grows enough, would it deter you from LCF? Do large vehicles deter people more from biking/walking in general than car traffic?

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/s...deaths-report/

fietsbob

Rollovers are an issue..

cabledawg

As a regular driver of large vehicles, I can say that when it comes to vehicle vs cyclist, SUV's can be more dangerous. Sitting up higher gives the driver a better, less obstructed view of the road ahead and can allow the driver to see the cyclist in time to avoid an accident. But in the chance that a collision between a SUV and a cyclist occurs, the SUV is going to do much more damage to the cyclist compared to a smaller car. Even full size cars sit lower to the ground and could cause the cyclist to go over the hood while an SUV, with higher ground clearance, taller hood and bumper profiles, would likely cause the cyclist to take the full impact on the body and potentially go under the front of the vehicle.

So are SUV's more dangerous to cyclist? They can be. But keep in mind that full size trucks and vans are just as dangerous and while there arent as many privately owned trucks/vans, they are commonplace on our roads due to construction and repair service companies.

Trevtassie

SUVs should be renamed UBRs , Urban Battering Rams. Most here in Australia never see off road, unless you count pulling up on the footpath (sidewalk) outside a school or building site. Making the urbanite feel like they're rough and ready for anything, just like they saw in the TV advertising. Plus there's the "up high can see" argument which used to work until 25% of the cars are SUVs and bugger the person behind you...

cooker

It's well established that SUVs are more dangerous both to their own occupants and to others. They have an advantage if they collide with a smaller vehicle, of course, but two SUVs on a collision course with each other are more dangerous than two sedans or compacts about to collide with each other. Also the smaller vehicles can stop faster, swerve better, are less likely to roll, and are less likely to stave in your head if they do roll. If a vehicle hits a pedestrian, they are much better off if it is a small vehicle, and they have a better chance of dodging it too.

tyrion

Didn't read it, but SUVs don't handle well and rollover a lot because they have a high center of gravity and (generally) crap cornering suspension and tires. It's been that way since "SUV"s were invented became a general purpose vehicle in the 1980s. They're simply not "driver's" cars, but they sell well and drivers don't know their limitations.

tandempower

Do you fear them when cycling/walking?

tyrion

Not especially. I do have an intuitive feel for the proportions and implications of width/height, but fear isn't a useful description.

dynodonn 

SUVs are just yesterday's station wagons that were popular then, and SUVs are just as popular now, plus the mini van era is long over.

Cyclist0108

I fear pickup trucks even more than FUVs.

Walter S

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...vs-study-finds

mconlonx

SUVs are more dangerous because they are classified as trucks, not cars, and as such, do not have to meet the same kind of safety requirements that cars do. And then people do silly things to them, like lift them, which puts bumpers higher than standard, resulting in more damage done in an accident if they hit someone else. Being heavier, they brake worse, have more kinetic energy when in motion, and handle worse. It all adds up to being more dangerous. Driving an SUV for safety is like saying, "Screw your safety, as long as I'm safe." -- it's a declaration of "me first, f*** the rest of you." As a cyclist, I don't really mind them, but on many other levels, they are annoying. If they are being used as automobiles, they should have to conform to automobile regulation.