The problem is, even with the huge shift to electric cars, this is not changing, even though issues of weight are even worse there. Tesla has the model x and are hyping the cybertruck. Rivian started with a pickup. Ford led with their F-150 lightning.
It’s in the video too.
This is a great example how monopolies can significantly shape society.
It’s a very American perspective. By focusing on car design, he is missing out on the important issues.
Nothing in the video matters. If all the SUVs were instantly replaced by Igos, society would still have all the same problems, maybe 10 or 20% smaller. It wouldn’t solve anything.
Focusing on the differences in car design is a distraction from the important changes, which are mostly about city planning. The need for cars (among other things) disappears once city planning is done properly.
The Not Just Bikes guy absolutely understands that the need for most cars disappears once city planning is done properly. The whole message, the very thesis of his entire YouTube channel is all about exactly this. His series on Strong Towns is a good example of this.
He knows what the important issues are. This is just one video where he demonstrates in detail that the detrimental design of SUVs in the US is just one part of the overall picture. That’s why the video matters! The planning of cities is, among other things, tied to the willingness to accommodate huge, wasteful vehicles.
The sheer fact that he is calling out this trend – his willingness to point fingers at the auto industry for manufacturing a nationwide desire (or a misguided “need”) for bigger, heavier vehicles – that’s what makes it NOT an American perspective.
His other videos are much more forward-thinking, it’s true. I have not seen the “strong towns” ones so I’ll have a look later.
The planning of cities is, among other things, tied to the willingness to accommodate huge, wasteful vehicles.
I look at this the other way. If cities were properly designed, people would no longer need SUVs. Right now they need them to feel safe, and it’s okay for people to want to feel safe. If cities were developed a bit more soundly, people would no longer feel this need.
You don’t need to push people out of SUVs by making cities more hostile to them. You just need to make cities less hostile to cycling and buses, and everyone who can will use them. Cities should accommodate everyone, including cyclists and SUV users, whereas right now the accommodate neither.
But I understand the other perspective too, that SUVs are more dangerous and therefore should be banned. But I don’t find the video convincing at all, unless you were already convinced about that before watching.
i think you underestimate the effect of car size on cities
What do you mean?
