[x3iv130f]

It isn't a binary between 9,000 lb vehicles and 18 lb bicycles.

There is a middle ground with low-weight, low-speed vehicles like 800 lb "golf carts" and 1800 lb Japanese micro-cars.

Japanese micro-cars like the Honda n-box slash get enthusiastic reviews from motorheads and represent a realistic alternative.

[kevin_thibedeau]

Kei cars don't have good crash performance. Even the North American Camry has extra structural reinforcement that the Japanese domestic doesn't because of laxer regulations.

[TT-392]

The roads basically are max 80 km/h in japan, so you don't really need it.

[nicbou]

Neither do bicycles

[throwaway0a5e]

The intersection between the "cars bad" crowd and the "cars should be regulated in a multitude of specific ways" (which has the side effect of driving up the size and price of the minimum economically viable new car) crowd is absolutely maddening. If cognitive dissonance were a physical object I would bludgeon them with it.

I would love a future where we can have cheap super-sub-compact EVs and small utility vehicles. But as long as these Karens get to hand wringing every time they see someone hauling lumber on the roof or they a family pile out of a 1991 Civic said future is but a fantasy.

[r00fus]

Better yet - just make gas super expensive and you get European style approach. Suddenly mass transit sounds a lot nicer when you can't get $2 gas anymore to subsidize a car that is listed as gallons per mile.