I have solved the parking problem in Seal Beach!
That seems not only arrogant but Science Fiction on the face of it—however—I have been without a car, here in Southern California, for nearly a decade. I know that must be unpatriotic in some counties but it provides me with a unique prospective of how to get around town, run errands and most importantly, avoid parking downtown.
Any fairly sunny day in Seal Beach means two things: crowds of inlanders and NO Parking available (at least on Main Street). The influx of people means a matching influx of cars. This is not a truism of nature but it holds for most beach towns. All our quaint scenic streets become snarled with cranky people in smoky autos that match their moods as they wait, very impatiently, for the next parking spot to open. Tourists are unfamiliar with where to park so they take excruciatingly long to find, then move into a space, which only adds to the (4MPH) road rage. So much for the happy town of Seal Beach on a sunny day.
It is well known that Americans are born with a steering wheel in their hands. Everyone over the age of sixteen, with a permit, absolutely has to have their own car, so they can drive to school and/or run errands for parents. Parents in turn pay for the car, gas, insurance and registration. That is the law according to the gods of Exxon and State Farm. One of my neighbors told me, right after buying a bike for his daughter, that it was not safe for her to ride the two blocks to school but he could not wait until she could drive, so he didn’t have to take her to classes. He said that with all sincerity as we are brought up to own a car, as right of passage into our teens.
I watched a lady I know leave the CVS store, get in her car, and DRIVE across Bolsa Ave. to the Chase Bank. 45 feet; but it never occurred to her to walk. We are “hooked, line and sinker-ed” into driving everywhere, irrespective of the cost, pollution or lack of exercise.
Most know me by sight: I’m the guy with the two little white dogs that walks up and down the Electric Greenbelt twice a day. I am blessed by being able to walk to work but I am truly fortunate to still be able to bicycle to the places too far to get to on foot. What most Seal Beachers’ don’t realize is how much faster and easier it is to get around town on a bike or on foot than by car.
I have the honor, these days, of running the errands around the house, when we just need the “one thing.” I was so elected when I went to the druggist for something, on my bike, to get something as my wife was not well.
When I returned, she was about to call the cops because I got back so fast she was worried I was breaking in or something. I did a little research and found it was almost three times as fast to make a local run on a bike as in a car. By the time you get to your car, drive to the lot, find parking, do the errand, then reverse the car – drive – park thing: it takes nearly three times as long as just ride, lock, shop and ride back. I confirmed this making several runs to the hardware, In-and-Out and other local institutions.
I’m no longer a fast rider, it’s just much quicker to ride and park at a rack than driving that short a distance.
So—next time you are going along Main Street to park, think about the rule of thumb of less than a block—walk; less than a mile—smile and ride. Think of all the money on gas, tiny carbon feet and frustration you avoid. The open bike racks of Main Street await your presence. Haul that old cruiser out of the garage, put a basket on; make sure you have a lock and do your part to open the parking spots in town.
Dave Dunton is the managing general partner of Try Cyclery LLC in Seal Beach.
