Comments on: Wall. Street. Crash. http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/ information, opinion, conversation Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:56:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Pete Smith http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-2/#comment-1065 Pete Smith Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:07:07 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1065 "The crash test was actually done at its maximum speed!" The DC model indeed has a quoted top speed of 40 mph. The new AC model can reach 45 mph. However, the point I've been trying to make is that a head-on collision between a G-Wiz and, say, a Range Rover, both doing 30 mph, will have similar disastrous results to those observed in the crash test. "generally people drive less than 20 km/h on the city roads" As I've pointed out before, while <em>average</em> urban traffic speeds are low as you say, speeds while in motion are much higher, often in excess of speed limits. “The crash test was actually done at its maximum speed!”
The DC model indeed has a quoted top speed of 40 mph. The new AC model can reach 45 mph.
However, the point I’ve been trying to make is that a head-on collision between a G-Wiz and, say, a Range Rover, both doing 30 mph, will have similar disastrous results to those observed in the crash test.
“generally people drive less than 20 km/h on the city roads”
As I’ve pointed out before, while average urban traffic speeds are low as you say, speeds while in motion are much higher, often in excess of speed limits.

]]> By: Joseph http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-2/#comment-1076 Joseph Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:59:10 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1076 The perception problem is well addressed! I just wants to clarify that generally people drive less than 20 km/h on the city roads. The crash test was actually done at its maximum speed! Other wise G-Wiz seems to be a nice vehicle to possess. The perception problem is well addressed! I just wants to clarify that generally people drive less than 20 km/h on the city roads. The crash test was actually done at its maximum speed! Other wise G-Wiz seems to be a nice vehicle to possess.

]]> By: Pete Smith http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-2/#comment-1069 Pete Smith Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:45:57 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1069 There’s a major perception problem with the G-Wiz. It’s designed to look like a cute tiny car, people keep referring to it as a car, and there’s a danger that people will expect it to have a car’s safety features. But it’s not a car, it’s a quadricycle, a clasification with a completely different set of safety standards, which it's only fair to say the G-Wiz passes with flying colours. I was amused to see that the distributors’ web site promotes the ’safety’ benefits of the G-Wiz’s crumple zone “designed to protect passengers in low speed collisions”. This is the same crumple zone that took the legs off the crash test dummy in a 40 mph head-on collision. I accept that, as yet, the G-Wiz appears not to have been involved in as many serious accidents as ‘normal’ vehicles. Perhaps this is due to the driving style of G-Wiz owners. Quite how you prevent some idiot in an SUV driving into you at 40 mph is not covered in the distributors’ FAQ. There’s a major perception problem with the G-Wiz. It’s designed to look like a cute tiny car, people keep referring to it as a car, and there’s a danger that people will expect it to have a car’s safety features. But it’s not a car, it’s a quadricycle, a clasification with a completely different set of safety standards, which it’s only fair to say the G-Wiz passes with flying colours.
I was amused to see that the distributors’ web site promotes the ’safety’ benefits of the G-Wiz’s crumple zone “designed to protect passengers in low speed collisions”. This is the same crumple zone that took the legs off the crash test dummy in a 40 mph head-on collision. I accept that, as yet, the G-Wiz appears not to have been involved in as many serious accidents as ‘normal’ vehicles. Perhaps this is due to the driving style of G-Wiz owners. Quite how you prevent some idiot in an SUV driving into you at 40 mph is not covered in the distributors’ FAQ.

]]> By: matt http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1066 matt Thu, 31 May 2007 13:02:04 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1066 That's certainly one of their attractions for potential buyers. But, more accidents happen in built-up areas than they do on motorways. And if you're involved with a car accident ... that's realistic. That’s certainly one of their attractions for potential buyers. But, more accidents happen in built-up areas than they do on motorways. And if you’re involved with a car accident … that’s realistic.

]]> By: Sandra http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1067 Sandra Thu, 31 May 2007 12:02:08 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1067 Let’s look at G-Wiz in a more realistic way! Its a car specially designed for city needs. People use it for traveling short distance. Its not the kinda car where you can take for long trips. With the shrinking parking space and ever increasing four wheelers I think it’s nice to have a small vehicles that you can park at ease. Let’s look at G-Wiz in a more realistic way! Its a car specially designed for city needs. People use it for traveling short distance. Its not the kinda car where you can take for long trips. With the shrinking parking space and ever increasing four wheelers I think it’s nice to have a small vehicles that you can park at ease.

]]> By: matt http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 matt Tue, 29 May 2007 12:47:08 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1077 Your link is to the company that sells them! Pete, who originally posted this article is away this week but, I believe Pete's concerns are purely about the H&S of small vehicles like the G-Wiz. There's a similar concern with all small vehicles, no matter what energy is used to propel them. I've seen a number of them on the street and they are incredibly small. Certainly no good for a family! Your link is to the company that sells them!

Pete, who originally posted this article is away this week but, I believe Pete’s concerns are purely about the H&S of small vehicles like the G-Wiz. There’s a similar concern with all small vehicles, no matter what energy is used to propel them.

I’ve seen a number of them on the street and they are incredibly small. Certainly no good for a family!

]]> By: Andrew Butcher http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1064 Andrew Butcher Tue, 29 May 2007 12:22:57 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1064 I think G-Wiz had been tested and approved when it got launched. I don’t understand the sudden rage that’s happening. The following link gives a counter view on the issue http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/news/ I think G-Wiz had been tested and approved when it got launched. I don’t understand the sudden rage that’s happening. The following link gives a counter view on the issue http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/news/

]]> By: Pete Smith http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1070 Pete Smith Thu, 24 May 2007 13:33:28 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1070 I'm sure there are people out there who think vehicles like this are great. Good luck to them, as long as they realise the potential risks. In the Top Gear test the G-Wiz crumpled significantly at 40 mph, equivalent to a head-on collision between two vehicles travelling at 20 mph. Given the increasing speed of urban traffic (when it's <em>moving</em>, I know <em>average</em> speeds are the same as in the 18th Century) I wouldn't want to be in even a minor tonk in one of these things. I’m sure there are people out there who think vehicles like this are great. Good luck to them, as long as they realise the potential risks. In the Top Gear test the G-Wiz crumpled significantly at 40 mph, equivalent to a head-on collision between two vehicles travelling at 20 mph. Given the increasing speed of urban traffic (when it’s moving, I know average speeds are the same as in the 18th Century) I wouldn’t want to be in even a minor tonk in one of these things.

]]> By: Phil Cummins http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1071 Phil Cummins Thu, 24 May 2007 13:10:29 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1071 We need to strike a balance somewhere right? Between cars and bikes that are environment friendly, and that's what the G-wiz does! The important thing to take away from these tests are that, the risk is always going to be there, given the car's form factor, but Its much safer than a two wheeler on an highway, I would say, the G-wiz is definitely a great car, has an outstanding safety record.. check their site here for further stats: http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/news/ We need to strike a balance somewhere right? Between cars and bikes that are environment friendly, and that’s what the G-wiz does! The important thing to take away from these tests are that, the risk is always going to be there, given the car’s form factor, but Its much safer than a two wheeler on an highway, I would say, the G-wiz is definitely a great car, has an outstanding safety record.. check their site here for further stats: http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/news/

]]> By: matt http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-1074 matt Thu, 10 May 2007 05:58:47 +0000 http://environmentdebate.co.uk/2007/05/09/wall-street-crash/#comment-1074 Even better still, driving a tank around the M25 whilst in a straight jacket. Even better still, driving a tank around the M25 whilst in a straight jacket.

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