Actual bumpers are not a safety issue. Car companies simply make more money by selling body panels at high markup after every minor accident.
"actual bumpers" are quite likely the single most extensively regulated pedestrian- and collision-related safety part. there's extensive legislation about their design and characteristics.
car companies exist to make money, yes, but they operate within a global framework of strict regulation.
The reasons for this is people can walk into solid objects at 5MPH without significant harm.
PS: Feel free to start with: 49 CFR Part 58
...or at least used to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(car)#Stringency_reduce...
The bumpers today are underneath body panels, so a even a light accident isn't cheap or easy to fix.
My guess is they don't exist anymore for several reasons. Style, aerodynamics, etc.