LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Changes that limit parking will hurt downtown business

To the editor, Re: City developing parking strategy with an eye to sustainable transportation, Aug. 13. As a resident, property and car-owning cyclist I would like to contribute my thoughts on Nanaimo’s proposed parking bylaw changes. I cycle a lot and all year long try to shop local as much as possible, but do not combine the two. I pedal while cycling, therefore I sweat. I don’t shop nor attend events while cycling for that reason in addition to security of person and property. When we shop, we use our vehicle for the comfort, convenience and security it allows. If we can’t park, we will not shop there. We will, however, shop where we can park or failing that, buy it through the internet and have it delivered. I would assume most vehicle owners would do the same. This assumption leads to residence. If there isn’t parking, those of us who can afford cars will choose to live where we can park. This leads to the following conclusion. Those who have cars usually have more disposable income and can afford to shop local and support the tax base of those businesses. Car owners will live where they can park. If there isn’t parking they will live elsewhere. As a taxpayer, I would hope that council would do everything to encourage more affluent car-owning residents to locate and shop in Nanaimo. The council’s hope for the future leading with the proposed parking bylaw changes could easily result in more of a downtown eastside Vancouver rather than the wish for utopia of a wealthy city. Just my two cents. D’Arcy Morrow, Nanaimo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press Media or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. Letters policy: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and will be edited. Preference is given to letters expressing an opinion on issues of local relevance or responding to items published in the News Bulletin. Include your address (it won’t be published) and a first name or two initials, and a surname. Unsigned letters will not be published. Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7 E-mail: [email protected] [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection]