Sport Utility Vehicle
From ibikeu Wiki
A sport utility vehicle is an especially large type of autombile, typified by a wide body, a high center of gravity, large wheels, and fuel inefficiency. They are capable of hauling large loads of heavy objects or passengers through rough terrain as can be encountered off paved road ways.
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Hazard posed to cyclists
Exercise caution when cycling near an SUV since they are as fast as cars, but wider and hurt more. This additional width of the vehicle makes it more difficult for the motorist to pass, especially on narrow roads.
Usage
When used to their passenger and load capacity a sport utlity vehicle can actually be comparatively efficient to a car.
However they are most commonly spotted carrying a single driver, and hauling a simple load of groceries on paved roads. In this context they are highly inefficent in use of energy and space.
History
Once upon a time sports cars and trucks where different classes of vehicles. SUVs have obliterated this distinction and ruthlessly combine the little boy romance of truck or tractor with the big boy romance of speed and acceleration, which is not really sex, even though the weird sensation in the stomach may feel like sex to some.
Sport Utility Vehicles rose in popularity once the baby boomers had children and decided in their early 40's that a minivan is just not cool.
Legality
Many SUVs weigh over 6,000 lbs. As this Slate article explains, many municipalities have adopted ordinances banning vehicles over 6,000 lbs on some streets. For example, Santa Monica bans such vehicles on most streets. However, hardly any municipalities enforce this law.
