The streets of the French capital become a ‘battlefield’. The conflict between SUV drivers and cyclists comes to a head – with deadly violence.
The situation has gotten out of hand, especially since the tragic death of a cyclist (27) who was deliberately run over by an SUV driver during an argument. While investigations are underway in Paris against the SUV driver on suspicion of murder, the cyclists’ anger is now being unleashed in a series of revenge attacks. In Toulouse, activists let the air out of the tires of dozens of SUVs. “These are deadly machines,” said the spokesperson for the group “No SUV Tolosa”. The streets of Paris and other cities are not designed for these enormous vehicles, activists claim.
Anti-SUV activists are also on the move in Austria
Such ‘tire extinguishers’ are also increasingly being used against SUVs in Austria. Recently, members of the climate group ‘Luftnot Collective’ were out in Vienna’s 18th district and flattened the tires of forty cars.
The criticism focuses mainly on their size: they are about 20 centimeters wider, which often does not leave enough space for cyclists. In addition, their raised front end causes more serious injuries in collisions.
Premiums for fully electric SUVs
It doesn’t help that buyers of fully electric SUVs in France receive a bonus of up to 5,000 euros – with the scrappage bonus even reaching 6,000 euros. There are similar incentives in other EU countries, such as Italy or Spain. After all, Paris has drastically increased parking fees for SUVs and other heavy vehicles. Since October 1, drivers of vehicles over 1.6 tons in the city have to pay up to 18 euros per hour, compared to 6 euros previously. This change was decided by a referendum in which 54.5 percent voted in favor.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
