but they did fail to point out one serious difference between drivers in the US and drivers in Europe... public transport here SUCKETH MIGHTILY.
In Europe, public transport is easier and more common, and let's face it, there's just a whole hell of a lot less AREA to drive across in any one country. Or even in Europe as a whole.
Not an argument as to why we *shouldn't* improve public transport or fuel efficiency, or an excuse to drive gas-sucking cars vs. compacts, but a reason it's not exactly apples to apples. More like apples to asian pears. Close, but not quite. :)
Re: Good article...poetry_ladyMay 21 2004, 15:47:03 UTC
Oh, yeah. I hear you on the motorcycle. I'm dying to get my back all better so I can commute on it (I've been on restriction for the last month or so due to physical therapy issues.)
One thing I find annoying in Seattle-opolis is this crazy new insistance at going 10 miles below speedlimit at all times, meaning I have to creep my car along at 18 or so mph for miles and miles. TOTAL crap on the gas mileage. Second gear is not meant to be a driving gear.
And to be topical, I also checked the gas mileage on my new car in 2001, and was pleased to see it as a value above 20. With my driving, I get around 22, even driving around in second gear a lot and stopping at virtually every stoplight. I get near thirty at highway speeds, and maybe 25 if I get lucky and get to drive in town, rather than idle and creep.
As for the woman who won't get a short car until everyone else does: it won't happen. People with attitudes like her are the reason we keep getting bigger and higher vehicles--the false sense of "safety" for baby.
One thing I find annoying in Seattle-opolis is this crazy new insistance at going 10 miles below speedlimit at all times, meaning I have to creep my car along at 18 or so mph for miles and miles. TOTAL crap on the gas mileage. Second gear is not meant to be a driving gear.
I've become much more patient with this now that going 18 or so mph means I'm on battery.
I just wish more people had hybrids so I could get fresh air when I roll down the window ;)
Part of what gets me are the people who buy SUVs for the 4-wheel-drive and think it does something - esp when they live in VA. I grew up in upstate NY; we happened to live up a winding steep hill on a half-mile of private road, and we kept a little Subaru with chains for my mother to get us from the bus in winter; but my father drove a front-wheel drive to work, and rarely had a problem. An SUV is useful mostly for getting into or out of a driveway or parking lot with really deep snow, or dealing with a steep, unplowed hill - you're a bit more likely to have a propelled wheel on something w/a little traction, and the clearance helps if the snow is really deep. But you can just as easily wait for it to be plowed
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Comments 5
In Europe, public transport is easier and more common, and let's face it, there's just a whole hell of a lot less AREA to drive across in any one country. Or even in Europe as a whole.
Not an argument as to why we *shouldn't* improve public transport or fuel efficiency, or an excuse to drive gas-sucking cars vs. compacts, but a reason it's not exactly apples to apples. More like apples to asian pears. Close, but not quite. :)
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One thing I find annoying in Seattle-opolis is this crazy new insistance at going 10 miles below speedlimit at all times, meaning I have to creep my car along at 18 or so mph for miles and miles. TOTAL crap on the gas mileage. Second gear is not meant to be a driving gear.
And to be topical, I also checked the gas mileage on my new car in 2001, and was pleased to see it as a value above 20. With my driving, I get around 22, even driving around in second gear a lot and stopping at virtually every stoplight. I get near thirty at highway speeds, and maybe 25 if I get lucky and get to drive in town, rather than idle and creep.
As for the woman who won't get a short car until everyone else does: it won't happen. People with attitudes like her are the reason we keep getting bigger and higher vehicles--the false sense of "safety" for baby.
Sigh.
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I've become much more patient with this now that going 18 or so mph means I'm on battery.
I just wish more people had hybrids so I could get fresh air when I roll down the window ;)
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