Victoria council seems committed to reducing car parking and making it more difficult for citizens of the region to ­support downtown businesses.

The reality of transportation is that the vast majority of citizens, over 70%, rely on their private vehicles for personal needs, work or recreation.

About 12-14% use public transit, with pedestrians and bicyclists making up the remaining small percentage dependent on the weather.

No amount of social engineering will get the majority of people out of their vehicles to take the bus or ride a bike.

It is true that as the population increases there will be a corresponding increase in the use of public transit and the use of bicycles, however, so will the number of vehicles of all types private, commercial and emergency.

Recent statistics released by ICBC indicate that the number of licensed cars and trucks has exceeded the growth in population.

I suggest that the Victoria council ­recognize this fact or watch even more businesses in downtown wither and die.

Bev Highton

Oak Bay

Re: “How to destroy a city by reducing parking,” letter, Sept. 4.

I couldn’t agree more. Also, why would the mayor and council reduce downtown parking by 50%, raise fees on what little is left and still be hellbent on a children’s water park in Centennial Square? It makes zero sense.

With nowhere for their customers to park, downtown businesses will move away in large numbers.

There will be far more boarded-up windows, more doorways used only by homeless people. Mayor and council: Is that what you really want? Is that what you want our tourists to see?

Because that’s exactly what will ­happen. Give your damn heads a shake.

P.J. Perdue

Victoria

A Victoria city councillors is a neighbour, and in their household of two people, they have two cars.

That city councillor drives his car everywhere, including to his job. Where do the councillors and mayor park while they are making decisions to reduce ­parking?

This councillor drives his car to his job every day, never taking public transit. His car is not parked at his home while he is working.

Double standards? Of course.

Renay Turner

Victoria

Summer in Victoria has been anything but quiet. From........

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