Author: pacman

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We are excited to introduce our next active transportation interviewees Heather Leigh Strom and her Corgi, Gigi. Maybe you cracked a smile while watching this duo roll around town via e-bike or have seen them arrive on two wheels at Manitou drum circle gatherings? Heather asserts she loves using her e-bike to run errands which allows her to skip parking challenges, maneuver to and from downtown Manitou easily, and help the planet. However, she points out the need for a safer west route to attractions such as the Incline and Rainbow Falls and suggests improved infrastructure maintenance. Don’t forget that anyone may report issues, potholes, and requests for safer mobility experiences by using the City of Manitou Springs’ SeeClickFix app. Residents may also apply for the residential parking credit program, which offers residents 50 free credits for parking in Manitou Springs per year. Thank you!

How long have you been living in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live here?

We moved to Manitou Springs in January of this year (2024).

What are the pros/cons of walking/rolling/taking shuttles/bus in Manitou?

I live less than 2 miles from downtown, and it seems a shame to drive my car such a short distance, then have to fuss with parking. Yet it is too far for my Corgi to walk with me and then walk home and I like to take her. The bus/shuttle won’t allow dogs and I’m not good about working around someone else’s schedule. I tend to flow without a plan. I wanted a way to get around town to drum circle, meet people for a meal, go shopping, attend live music in Soda Springs Park or the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, and get to my hair appointments and my drum lessons. Instantly an e-bike came to mind.  I never thought I would want an e-bike since I have always been a hard-core cyclist.  But with all the hills around here and needing to ride around with Gigi or my huge djembe drum on my back I certainly didn’t want to pedal and get sweaty.  I wanted to be able to wear street clothes with a more relaxed, cruiser position on the bike.  I wanted something that made me feel more ‘girly’ for a change instead of like a jock.  

And I got all that and the incredible sense of freedom the e-bike offers!  I just love riding around in regular clothes, running errands or going to appointments.  The views are incredible and I have always loved being outside.  Gigi loves it too!  She jumps into her backpack with a smile on her face.  I think she likes going FAST and feeling the wind in her hair.  Tourists stop us and want to take our picture when we go through town. Best of all I feel like I am doing something good for the environment, so it makes me feel good! 

What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking and rolling experiences in Manitou?

I think Manitou Springs has better infrastructure than anywhere else I have lived and certainly better than what I have found in Colorado Springs.  But it would be nice to have a paved bike path all the way through town extending to the Incline and Rainbow Falls.  I can only find partially paved trails and some dirt.  Mostly I take the back roads or neighborhoods to get around. 

What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time?

I guess you could always rent an e-bike from one of the shops and just try it out.  I skipped that step and just jumped all-in thanks to assistance from the Colorado e-bike voucher program which was a financial motivator for me to make the purchase. 

But I will say that I can get around town faster on my e-bike than I can in my car! Memorial Park is only 5 minutes away on an e-bike but might take 8-15 minutes in a car especially since I then have to park. 

What do you think would increase more active transportation use in Manitou? 

Well, the price of parking is certainly a motivator for me. 

It would help if the roads were in better shape (there are lots of holes and uneven areas) and my e-bike doesn’t have suspension.  If I weren’t an excellent bike handler this could make me crash when I hit a hole or bump unexpectedly.  

A more consistent bike lane on the roads would also help.  I have noticed that sometimes these lanes are shared with street parking and this is dangerous if someone is opening a door or pulling out when you are riding by. Sometimes the shoulder completely disappears and you are left out in the road unexpectedly.  This doesn’t make me feel safe or secure.  

I think the speed limit is ideal, but I don’t see much police presence to enforce it. 

Also, I see abundant signage of the 3-foot state law, but I rarely see anyone adhere to it. It’s as if they think the bike lane itself offers enough space and they don’t give you anymore. 

If I don’t feel safe riding on the road, it certainly deters me from wanting to do it. I have already been hit by a car twice while on my bike, so I am very sensitive to this aspect. 

What other form of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like? 

I haven’t ridden a city bus since high school, and I would love to give that a try sometime. For longer distances, I still rely on my gas car. 

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We love seeing members of the community out and about using active transportation modalities. One such occasion was at Safeway where a PaCMan member met Manitou Springs Real Estate realtor, Emily Sawyer, who had arrived by scooter. Emily mentioned all the awesome ways she saved on gas using her scooter and offered to share her active transportation perspective with us. Emily also has an E-Bike which she purchased using a voucher from the Colorado state E-Bike assistance program. She asserts that the voucher made it possible for her household to afford the purchase. If you have a Manitou Springs or Colorado state E-Bike voucher story to share, please reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram @pacmanitou. We’d love to hear about your E-Bike experience and how the voucher has allowed you to not only afford an E-Bike but to replace car trips. Thank you!

How long have you lived and worked in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live/work here? 

I’ve lived in Manitou for 25 years so far!  It’s an awesome spot and has a quaint small-town vibe.  As a Realtor for over 16 years, I’m thankful to be able to live here and do most of my work within the same relatively small area (currently with Manitou Springs Real Estate, LLC).  Everything I need is all wrapped up in one little town! Our office is right in the middle of town and when I meet clients, show properties, go to the store, or visit friends, it’s usually within a few miles. Why drive if I don’t have to! 

What are the pros/cons of bicycling to get around Manitou Springs? 

Riding a bike reduces traffic, provides exercise, and sets a good example for others.  Plus, it’s enjoyable. When you’re not in a car, you notice a lot more things like nature, animals, sounds, and weather. Parking is a lot easier too.

Sometimes it’s a challenge to carry lots of groceries and temperature-sensitive items on a bike.  Inclement weather can sneak up on you too!

I purchased my E-Bike with a Colorado state program voucher. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to get it without that.

What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your mobility experiences in Manitou?  

We currently have lots of great paths, bike lanes, and signage to alert drivers to be cautious. There are still some areas that could be improved though. We have some gaps.  And more predictable weather would be nice! 

What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation and/or mobility choices other than a car in Manitou a try but does not have much time or resources? 

Check into state and city programs that offer purchase credits/incentives or rental discounts. Local bike shops often have good deals. 

It doesn’t take that much longer to ride a bike versus driving a car, if it’s a reasonable distance. Also, you don’t need to have top-of-the-line equipment or be a professional athlete to do it. Everyone has their own pace and it’s not a race. 

When I refer to “bike”, this also applies to any active transportation and/or mobility choice other than cars.

What do you think would increase more active transportation and/or other mobility device use in Manitou? 

Manitou is on the right track.  It would be great if we had an annual public event or festival in town to promote active transport/alternative transportation methods.  That would be a fun one! The event would be a chance for seasoned cyclists, beginners, and those who are curious, to gather.  Information can be shared, experiences told, and encouragement given.  It would also be an opportunity to educate drivers AND cyclists on rules and safety when on the road.  

(Please note that PaCMan collaborates with and shared both motorist and bicyclist safety information that may be accessed from the Bike Colorado Springs website here.)

What other forms of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like? 

My preferred method of transportation is my electric assist bike. We have lots of hills here and I need help! Second is my scooter, third is walking, and 4th is my old 3 speed Detroit Bike.  Whichever method I use depends on the weather, how much time I have, how hard I want to work, and how much I have to carry. 

All are fun and the really cool thing is that my car sits in the garage a lot longer than it used to!

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We’d like to introduce you to Manitou Springs resident artist, sustainability farmer, and Colorado E-Bike voucher recipient, Paige Talerico. You may know her as one of the quartet of artists who created the colorful, recently unveiled murals at 441 Manitou Avenue. No matter where Paige decides to go or who she interacts with, she lives her life by example. One such action is to tread kindly on the earth by her transportation choices. We hope that you find inspiration from her active transportation story.

How long have you lived and worked in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live here?

I have lived in Manitou Springs for over three years. I chose to live here to be near to Flying Pig Farm and I love the community I have found in Manitou. I have taught, farmed, and worked as an artist in Manitou Springs for three years. I teach at Flying Pig Farm and Manitou Elementary, and work as a farmer at Smokebrush Farm.  

What is your primary mode of transportation to get to work in Manitou?

I mostly walk or bike to work. 

Can you tell us a little about your Colorado State E-Bike voucher experience? Would you have been able to afford an electric bicycle without the state rebate?

I’m grateful to have received a Colorado State E-Bike voucher, as I wouldn’t have chosen to purchase an e-bike without it. 

What are the pros/cons of walking/rolling in Manitou? 

I enjoy walking around Manitou, especially along Fountain Creek, where the slower pace allows me to observe my surroundings. 

What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your active transportation experiences in Manitou?  

When I need to get somewhere quickly, I prefer to bike rather than drive, especially to avoid the congestion of tourists downtown and the limited free parking. I would love to see more bike lanes around Manitou.

What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time?

I think the E-bike voucher program is an excellent way to make active transportation more accessible throughout Manitou and suggest that the City of Manitou Springs offer another E-Bike voucher program to residents in the future.

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! As you may know, PaCMan advocates for safe, convenient, and accessible mobility experiences for residents and visitors in Manitou Springs. This includes sharing perspectives from people who live, work, or visit Manitou Springs using multimobility to get around. Please meet Manitou E-Bike voucher recipient and stalwart sustainability advocate, Ruth Markwardt. Ruth shares how she utilizes her E-Bike as transportation to and from work, and for other errands. We hope that you will take a moment to read her story and encourage others to replace car trips with an active transportation or other multimobility option. 

How long have you lived in Manitou Springs and why did you chose to live here?

I have lived in Manitou since 2018. After living in the area since 2010 and working on different urban and rural farms I moved to Manitou to come be a part of the amazing community at Flying Pig Farm!

Why did you apply for an E-Bike voucher and how has it benefited/changed your life and transportation experiences?

I applied for an E-Bike voucher to help get a bike I can realistically commute on. I work Southeast of downtown Colorado Springs so on a non-electrified bike it is hard to motivate for the 45-60min uphill bike home after a long work day. Now with my E-Bike, my commute only takes 30 minutes and I get some movement in without breaking too much of a sweat in either direction. It’s a lot more pleasant than being stuck in traffic and I save on gas. I also have a backup mode of transportation for when our ancient (360,000 miles) car is out of commission or being used by my partner.

How do you utilize your E-Bike: work/volunteer job, attending classes/school, Socializing, Get Home, Run Errands/shop, Pickup Someone Else/children, Trips Elsewhere such as pleasure/exercise?

I use them for all of the above–except my bike is not a cargo bike so I don’t pick up others with it.

During an average week, how many round-trip E-Bike rides do you estimate that you take using your new e-bike?  

6 roundtrip rides per week

On average, how many miles do you estimate each of your E-Bike rides are? 

12 miles roundtrip on average

Do you own or have regular access to an automobile or other private vehicle? 

Yes, but it is shared with my partner and is not always reliable as its quite old/high mileage!

During an average week, how many of your E-Bike rides do you estimate have replaced private vehicle trips (including Lyft, Uber, taxi)? 

6 rides / week (roundtrip)

Would you have made this purchase without Manitou Springs E-Bike rebate? No

Before purchasing an E-Bike, how did you get around and how often did you use those modes of transportation?

Primarily private vehicle and bussing, with some walking and occasional Uber/Lyft.

What are the pros/cons of walking/rolling/bicycling/taking transit or shuttles in Manitou?

Some Pros are that it is fun. You can be on trails instead of roads, save money, and prevent gas emissions. Some cons are that you have to be very careful on major roadways and go slow as Colorado Springs/Manitou drivers can be careless. The Midland Trail is a wonderful resource that gets me most of the way to work most days!

What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking/rolling/bicycling/taking transit or shuttles in Manitou?

More bike lanes! More pedestrian emphasis.

What do you think would increase more people using bicycles/walking/taking transit or shuttles in Manitou?

Not sure! 

What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time nor the resources?

I often find that when I feel “too busy” to ride my bike somewhere its exactly the time I mentally need to slow down to give myself the time to get some exercise, be outside, and take an extra 5-10 minutes to get to my destination. Active transportation also can help eliminate the need to go to the gym and can add years to your life, it’s worth it in the long run!