The Prius Problem
02-24-09, 03:02 AM
#26
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Maybe just my mindset.
But a car is just a tool to get Multiple people from points A to B.
Not a statement.
There may be a tendency for some of the people who buy a prius (somewhat "wealthy and entitled")
to be in the ranks of the "This is my road...everyone else is an inconvenience!" ilk right now.
I'll be the one buying the 5 yr old Prius and installing the plug in package (if its more affordable by then). my last minivan lasted over 250K miles before she died. Never didn't give a cyclist his lane...don't see that changing with a change of car.
But a car is just a tool to get Multiple people from points A to B.
Not a statement.
There may be a tendency for some of the people who buy a prius (somewhat "wealthy and entitled")
to be in the ranks of the "This is my road...everyone else is an inconvenience!" ilk right now.
I'll be the one buying the 5 yr old Prius and installing the plug in package (if its more affordable by then). my last minivan lasted over 250K miles before she died. Never didn't give a cyclist his lane...don't see that changing with a change of car.
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02-24-09, 03:03 AM
#27
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Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? Other than large rednecks in pick ups and old people, I routinely have problems with people driving Prius's. Not so much they are trying to hit me but more so much that they are oblivous to the fact they are so damn close to me. I would think the people driving a prius would me more aware of greener travelers such as cyclist but from my experience it seems more like people who drive Prius's around here are doing it as a statement. I can't tell you how many times i've been buzzed by Prius drivers. Thank god I don't live in Califor N ia...I'd probab L y be dead by now.
02-24-09, 03:32 AM
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Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? Other than large rednecks in pick ups and old people, I routinely have problems with people driving Prius's. Not so much they are trying to hit me but more so much that they are oblivous to the fact they are so damn close to me. I would think the people driving a prius would me more aware of greener travelers such as cyclist but from my experience it seems more like people who drive Prius's around here are doing it as a statement. I can't tell you how many times i've been buzzed by Prius drivers. Thank god I don't live in California...I'd probably be dead by now.
Many times I'm rolling on the electric motor only so it's pretty quiet. Could it be that you're just not aware that the Prius is approaching until it is much closer than if the car were running on its gas motor? Also, if this is on a normal route for you, are you having the same problem with the same Prius? Could be a bad driver.
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Last edited by blacksquid; 02-24-09 at 03:35 AM. Reason: additional info added
02-24-09, 04:50 AM
#30
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I don't know whether there is a particular problem with Prius drivers or not. Maybe they are just more easily recognizable and memorable cars. One has to wonder if they are more memorable just because of the prejudicial assumptions that some people make about the drivers.
I commuted and rode almost every single day for over two years in San Diego county. Most of my problems seemed to be with pickups and SUV's, but there are also lots more of them on the road and they all look alike.
I have to say it's the minivans that scared me most though. I had pickups and SUV's deliberately mess with me, but several minivans came the closest to hitting me and seemed completely clueless about it.
I commuted and rode almost every single day for over two years in San Diego county. Most of my problems seemed to be with pickups and SUV's, but there are also lots more of them on the road and they all look alike.
I have to say it's the minivans that scared me most though. I had pickups and SUV's deliberately mess with me, but several minivans came the closest to hitting me and seemed completely clueless about it.
02-24-09, 05:16 AM
#31
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Most memorable Prius-related incident:
Last year my team was descending a two lane road with a speed limit of 45. I was at the front, going approximately 50. Naturally, as I was traveling the speed limit, I was in the center of the lane. Completely legal in New York.
A woman driving a Prius passed our group of five riders in the opposite lane and cut back to the right lane just in front of me. She then hit the brakes and made a hard right turn onto another street. It was the most dangerous situation a driver's ever put me in.
Last year my team was descending a two lane road with a speed limit of 45. I was at the front, going approximately 50. Naturally, as I was traveling the speed limit, I was in the center of the lane. Completely legal in New York.
A woman driving a Prius passed our group of five riders in the opposite lane and cut back to the right lane just in front of me. She then hit the brakes and made a hard right turn onto another street. It was the most dangerous situation a driver's ever put me in.
02-24-09, 05:21 AM
#32
Chases Dogs for Sport
Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? Other than large rednecks in pick ups and old people, I routinely have problems with people driving Prius's. Not so much they are trying to hit me but more so much that they are oblivous to the fact they are so damn close to me. I would think the people driving a prius would me more aware of greener travelers such as cyclist but from my experience it seems more like people who drive Prius's around here are doing it as a statement. I can't tell you how many times i've been buzzed by Prius drivers. Thank god I don't live in California...I'd probably be dead by now.
02-24-09, 05:24 AM
#33
Senior Member
Makes sense to me, the Prius is one of the most environmentally damaging cars ever made. They are sold purely on the fact that the owners want the moral superiority that comes with ownership. "In America we want everyone to know about the good work we are doing anonymously." -Jay Leno
02-24-09, 05:27 AM
#34
Chases Dogs for Sport
It's the batteries. Once you're done with them, they are hazardous waste. Big-time bad stuff for which there is no economically- or environmentally-sound cure. This is going to be a major environmental issue in the future.
This is the big electric car / hybrid car mystery to me. No thinking environmentalist would drive an electric or hybrid until they fix the disposal problem.
This is the big electric car / hybrid car mystery to me. No thinking environmentalist would drive an electric or hybrid until they fix the disposal problem.
02-24-09, 05:28 AM
#35
Peloton Shelter Dog
It's the batteries. Once you're done with them, they are hazardous waste. Big-time bad stuff for which there is no economically- or environmentally-sound cure. This is going to be a major environmental issue in the future.
This is the big electric car / hybrid car mystery to me. No thinking environmentalist would drive an electric or hybrid until they fix the disposal problem.
This is the big electric car / hybrid car mystery to me. No thinking environmentalist would drive an electric or hybrid until they fix the disposal problem.
02-24-09, 05:32 AM
#36
Chases Dogs for Sport
02-24-09, 05:40 AM
#38
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A friend of mine has a Prius, and he let me drive it. Visibility, as previously stated, is mediocre. Couple that with the distracting screen just below the windshield, and I can see why drivers of these vehicles are less attentive than others. Its like a game, trying to keep gas mileage as high as possible. You just stare at the fuel-consumption graphic, trying to keep it over 50 mpg. To me, it is just as distracting as an in-dash DVD player would be...and aren't those illegal to use while driving in most areas?
Not to mention, just an ugly car. Really, really unattractive. A Civic provides great mileage, lower cost, and a better look.
Not to mention, just an ugly car. Really, really unattractive. A Civic provides great mileage, lower cost, and a better look.
02-24-09, 06:11 AM
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A friend of mine has a Prius, and he let me drive it. Visibility, as previously stated, is mediocre. Couple that with the distracting screen just below the windshield, and I can see why drivers of these vehicles are less attentive than others. Its like a game, trying to keep gas mileage as high as possible. You just stare at the fuel-consumption graphic, trying to keep it over 50 mpg. To me, it is just as distracting as an in-dash DVD player would be...and aren't those illegal to use while driving in most areas?
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02-24-09, 06:17 AM
#40
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I've been spooked a couple times by them running in the city on 'lectric, but not due to close passing, ghost passing rather.
02-24-09, 06:20 AM
#41
Peloton Shelter Dog
02-24-09, 06:50 AM
#43
Peloton Shelter Dog
02-24-09, 06:57 AM
#44
Chases Dogs for Sport
02-24-09, 07:32 AM
#45
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Not much different at all. Nor did I say otherwise. Anything that distracts a driver's attention away from the road ahead (and behind) is dangerous. I don't have nav in either of my cars, and I have no intention of adding it in the future.
02-24-09, 07:36 AM
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I have not noticed a difference with Prius drivers but I have heard others say that.
On the subject of Prius, I do not think they are all that efficient or cost effective but I am glad to see them on the road. Car manufacturers will learn from the miles being driven and motivated with the sales so one day they may even be efficient. Better batteries will be a huge improvement.
On the subject of Prius, I do not think they are all that efficient or cost effective but I am glad to see them on the road. Car manufacturers will learn from the miles being driven and motivated with the sales so one day they may even be efficient. Better batteries will be a huge improvement.
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02-24-09, 07:42 AM
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Hey, what's your gripe with pick-ups? I am always friendly to cyclists.
02-24-09, 07:44 AM
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02-24-09, 07:48 AM
#50
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BMW drivers. The worst. By far. Can't stand them.
Have you noticed how a BMW owner always refers to his car as BMW rather than car? "I was driving in my BMW"..."I'll go get my BMW"..."Let me put it in my BMW". Funny how Bentley and Rolls Royce drivers don't feel this need to announce what car they own.
Have you noticed how a BMW owner always refers to his car as BMW rather than car? "I was driving in my BMW"..."I'll go get my BMW"..."Let me put it in my BMW". Funny how Bentley and Rolls Royce drivers don't feel this need to announce what car they own.