7.3M views · Mar 6, 2023 · 35:07 · 11 HN recommenders · 20 mentions · discussed 2023–2026
Not Just Bikes explains how SUVs and light trucks have grown in size and share of US sales, and why that is dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and city life. He covers the regulatory loopholes, such as fuel economy rules and the chicken tax, that favored them.
Why Hacker News points people here: It is HN's default link whenever vehicle size comes up, with commenters recommending it for the history of the light-truck loophole and the safety effects of tall bumpers.
“a very relevant video about the very real problems that SUVs and modern trucks have on urban environments.”HN comment, 2023
“This documentary was quite eye-opening for me”
Explains why SUVs are popular in the US
As a European I was really surprised why SUVs are so popular in the US, making biking extremely dangerous. This documentary was quite eye-opening for me: this video Similarly in Germany we’re building a new Autobahn in the middle of a city (Berlin) under extreme costs, while still neglecting investment in trains, because we’re a car country.
“Just do yourself a favour and watch this video[0]”
Why tall bumper heights make cars more dangerous
Just do yourself a favour and watch this video[0], you might learn why SUVs and in general cars with a taller bumper height are more dangerous. .0: this video
“Here's a video I wish I could make every American watch”
Deep dive on how US light-truck rules led to ballooning vehicles and deaths.
Here's a video I wish I could make every American watch this video It provides a deep-dive video into the history of how we got to the situation we're in today with American cars exploding in size. It actually has its origins in Obama-era legislation for emissions standards that made an exception for "light trucks". SUVs are legally classified as light trucks so the industry has massively pushed these tanks onto the consumer promising more safety. It has led to a dramatic decrease in public safety and pedestrian deaths that is unique to the US. One contributor to these deaths is literally parents running over their own children in their own driveways. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. The video goes over the visibility issues with these trucks, how our safety regulations fail to account for them (light trucks only need to be tested in collision with other light trucks) and also covers how modern trucks have the same carrying capacity as pickup trucks from 30 years ago (the main thing that's increased is the hull and cabin size) while being harder to use for actual work since the bed is higher offer the ground
“which does go over those things”
Covers CAFE and chicken tax effects on truck sizes
> Article didn't mention CAFE (which is the reason for larger sizes) nor chicken tax (which makes, even if they qualified under CAFE, foreign small trucks economically non-viable). I was pointed to the article from the just-posted Not Just Bikes video "These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us", which does go over those things: * this video The point of the Axios article, which comes up at the 25m25s point in the NJB video, goes towards the point that the pickup truck has actually become less practical over the decades. And to the idea that most folks would be better served with a station wagon or perhaps a minivan. Trucks have gone from the cargo bed being >60% of the usable length (ignoring the engine), to the (crew) cab being >60% of the useable length. Pickup trucks gone from thing-haulers to people-haulers, in which case, why bother with that form factor?
“Not Just Bikes video on the same subject today”
Video on the growth of trucks
Not Just Bikes video on the same subject today: this video It's crazy to see how much trucks have blown up in the last few years. They clog up parking lots, barely fit in parking garages (let alone personal garages), blind me at night with their too-high too-bright headlights, and completely block cross-street vision for anything except other trucks when they park on the street. A complete failure of US govt regulation. At this point I hope gas prices go through the roof and punish these truck owners for their selfish decisionmaking.
“a very relevant video about the very real problems that SUVs and modern trucks have on urban environments.”
Problems SUVs and trucks cause in urban environments
Not Just Bikes just released a very relevant video about the very real problems that SUVs and modern trucks have on urban environments. this video
“which includes various statistics and some striking visual examples of the absolutely absurd grill heights of modern production vehicles.”
Statistics and visuals on modern vehicle grill heights
On that note, there's the video essay "These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us" this video , which includes various statistics and some striking visual examples of the absolutely absurd grill heights of modern production vehicles.
“made a video about increasing vehicle sizes in the US”
Covers increasing vehicle sizes in the US
Not Just Bikes, a YouTuber made a video about increasing vehicle sizes in the US and why you may be interested in this video
“explains in detail how "trucks" overtook "cars" as the most popular vehicle in the US, and legislation that lead to that.”
How trucks overtook cars in the US, and the legislation
These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us [1] explains in detail how "trucks" overtook "cars" as the most popular vehicle in the US, and legislation that lead to that. (Quotes because the words refer to the legal definition of trucks/cars.) [1] this video
“NotJustBikes did a good intro video on the subject.”
Intro to light truck loophole and SUV popularity
> That's the first time I hear this argument. SUVs and the like exploit a loophole in various standards like fuel efficiency requirements because they are not "cars" but "Light trucks" and therefore those standards don't apply to them; which makes them cheaper to design and build for automotive companies. The "Light trucks" category was supposed to be used for light commercial vehicles, not personal vehicles but then the law of unintended consequences had a love-child with profit seeking corporations and their linguistic games. Literally the only reason SUVs and trucks became popular is because the automotive manufacturers could make more money doing it that way and convinced the consumers to buy them. NotJustBikes did a good intro video on the subject. * link * this video
“Not Just Bikes has a pretty extensive video on it”
Extensive look at light truck regulations
I’m not sure how it relates to passenger safety regulations, but it is true that in the US there is a lower set of fuel efficiency and safety requirements for light trucks. And SUVs are classified as light trucks, hence the push by manufacturers for people to buy SUVs. Not Just Bikes has a pretty extensive video on it: this video
“many U.S manufacturers opt into building Trucks and SUVs to avoid emission regulations”
Manufacturers build trucks and SUVs to avoid emission regulations
But that's not at all the reason why. Even the article explains it. They sold well but Chevrolet's quality control is bad. They lost money because of recalls and lack of good control processes to make these cars. They ran a cost benefit analysis and said, "fuck it, we'll continue making shittier cars". It also doesn't help that many U.S manufacturers opt into building Trucks and SUVs to avoid emission regulations: this video
“the heavy truck trend has been going for some time”
Heavy truck trend and legislation behind it
As presented by 'Not Just Bikes' [1] the heavy truck trend has been going for some time. The legislation around larger trucks is different and has a stronger profit motive. Curious to see an exec talking about the trend as a negative. [1] this video
How would you force automakers to do so if Congress or executive branch agencies won’t change light vehicle and truck regulations? Some change is happening, albeit slowly (with regards to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways). this video link
Cited as backing for claim about SUV regulation and manufacturer incentives.
SUVs are pushed by manufacturers due to their relative lack of regulation in the US, and so the more money they can make from them. Safety and car seat sizes have nothing to do with it. this video
“cars are allowed to get bigger, heavier and thus more dangerous (SUV and Pickup trucks)”
Shows cars and trucks growing bigger, heavier and more dangerous.
Meanwhile cars are allowed to get bigger, heavier and thus more dangerous (SUV and Pickup trucks). See this video Not as an excuse for a driver to take seat after drinking too much alcohol or taking cannabis. I find it a rearguard action by concentrating too much on the driver and not on the weapon (car) itself. In my opinion a more difficult but more worthwhile is to make infrastructure more safe in general.
Linked alongside argument about oversized vehicles endangering lesser road users.
Why don't cyclists use cycle lanes - link this video Can you think of why it is a good idea for vehicles which weigh 2000kg and more to be used to transport 90kg loads all day long at needless risk to lesser road users? Why can't the motor vehicle industry develop smaller powered vehicles sheltered from the elements for personal transport, something not much more than a 3 wheeled scooter with a canopy? As a technically aware guy does that really make sense? Motor vehicles as they are are primarily recreational vehicles and status symbols, not means of moving 100kg individuals and their handbags or briefcases if they are carrying any around town.
“A couple years ago he also made a video about these trucks more broadly”
Broader video on oversized trucks, cited with a newer related video.
NotJustBikes just put out a video about this issue - link A couple years ago he also made a video about these trucks more broadly - this video What's truly maddening is how many of these vehicles which _do not_ meet European safety standards are _already_ in Europe. Walk around Hilversum in the Netherlands and you will see plenty of Dodge Rams (mostly 1500's, but there's even a 2500 Dually usually parked on the sidewalk ("pavement "for Brits) where my kids used to go to school). They're imported under "Individual Vehicle Approval" rules, exempting them from type safety requirements, and on top of that are almost always registered as "business vehicles" (you can tell from the V plate) which means they pay an absolute pittance in tax. I moved here to get away from American kindercrushers (among other reasons) and I am profoundly concerned that Europe is being invaded by these machines. (Edit) Worth noting is that a lot of Dutch street design is based on the idea that people _can_ share space with cars in dense, low speed environments, but that assumption flies out the window when the vehicles are so large you can't even see a kid walking or biking to school. Further edit - source - link 5,000 Dodge Rams imported in to Europe in 2023 alone.
Cited as previously discussed video on dangerous truck design.
The Grille Trend that Kills 509 People per Year link video discussed previously link These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us this video The original designer wanted the truck to feel like you were driving a fist, punching through the air. So we are killing people so that the driver can have an aggressive aesthetic. And the design has spread like a contagious meme, even BMWs have it now.
“I can't listen to videos like this where the narrator uses emotional affectations in a scripted report.”
I can't listen to videos like this where the narrator uses emotional affectations in a scripted report. > this video >They're just... BAD for cities. Really bad. > this video >We're constantly being told that the astronomical growth in the average size of motor vehicles would infringe on the """ FREEDOMS """ of people to do whatever they want. It's cringe, unnatural, and distracts from the message. Present the logic of your argument in a neutral manner and leave it to the listener for emotional interpretation - don't force it.
