Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemmy
A motorcycle has exactly the same utility as a Pious in the single occupant/single vehicle scenario - look about at your fellow motorists next time you go for a drive and you'll see that the massive majority of vehicles are carrying a single occupant, far and away the most common combination.
So they're of equal utility in the most common vehicle-occupant combination. Yet the resources that go into building and transporting a 1.4 tonne Pious are horrific compared to a 120kg light motorcycle.
The utility argument is, in most instances, simply an excuse, not a genuine objection. The planet is dying, resources are dwindling, we have far too much strategic dependence on foreign fuel and material sources - we should be modifying our lifestyles to suite the most efficient transport methods, not making excuses for continuing to drive around in a 5 seat car with 4 seats unoccupied.
|
Oh, I completely agree.
The problem is getting the market to see that.
People got mo' money, they want mo' mo' mo'.
This is why the Tata Nano failed.
This is why Indians are starting to get into bigger-than-Kei cars.
This is why affluent Asians are going straight from 40 km/l scooters (40 in traffic) STRAIGHT into brand spanking new 1.5 ton MPVs and pick-up trucks.
The perception of utility trumps all common sense.
Me, I could get by with a two wheeler for 90% of my own needs. Even taking the kids to school can be done via bike, as their schools are relatively close (or go via busing service. Same cost per kilometer as driving, but no vehicular ownership overhead). Other times, I drive a Mirage (usually four or five up) But try convincing other parents here that they don't need a V6 Ford Explorer to send a single child to school...