Friday 27 February 2009

Vehicle types

There's been some debate in the comments as to whether its the faster German cars that tend to be the ones that park the worst. We don't have enough unbiased data. We do think that 4X4s park badly, but that's for physical reasons: they are wider and reverse really badly -you can't park them into small spaces and are forced onto the yellow lines and the pavements.

German cars are just like any other: they need somewhere to park. Here in Clifton, this BMW H837GLM has found a nice spot on the pedestrian buildout on Royal York Crescent.

That could be endangering pedestrians. Someone might try crossing from the other side of the road, and not be able to get safely onto the pavement. That could be hazardous.

Fortunately, a driver of a BMW Mini has seen the risk and selflessly parked their car YH57URU in such a way as to block anyone from running out.

Only a small car like a mini would be able to parallel park on this buildout -it has done it without damage to its wingmirrors or bodywork. Nicely done.

This is a German brand, but the Austin Mini comes from Cowley, 100+ miles or so east of Bristol. Does its presence on the pavement prove or disprove the "fast German cars park worse" hypothesis?

1 comment:

owenslat said...

I have new evidence of how BMW drivers are pushing ahead with road safety in Bristol- god bless 'em!

Thanks to the driver of silver BMW M6 reg V10 AWE who selflessly slowed my suicidal charge down through College Green at lunchtime today by helpfully pulling out in front of me from the Marriot Hotel, and then nursing me gently into the nearside lane where tax avoiding cyclists best belong.

A modest soul as well, he politely hid under the dashboard as I tried to take his photo so I could send him a thank you card... pity my phone was not charged...

If anyone knows who this noble soul might be please let me know so I can pass on my sincere thanks for this unsolicited masterclass in road safety education.

He did have a shocking resemblance to Chamber of Commerce chief, Merchant Venturer and all-round do-gooder, John Savage. If true, it surely wouldn't surprise those of us who have long admired his sterling support in trying to guide cyclists, poor people and public transport lovers from their misguided beliefs towards the bright, shiny, car owning nirvana...