Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs logo
Donate

Category: Pikes Peak Bulletin

  • Kevin Qualls – On walking and biking in Manitou

    Kevin Qualls – On walking and biking in Manitou

    Kevin Qualls with his eBike

    Happy new year from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We ring in 2025 with an active transportation interview from Manitou Springs resident Kevin Qualls. Kevin not only enjoys walking around town using the Creek Walk Trail but also riding his E-Bike to connect to the downtown area and the Midland Trail beyond. We hope that you will be inspired to try walking or rolling as a way to replace car trips as a goal this year. Do you use transit, walk, or ride an eWheel to get around? PaCMan is looking for residents, visitors, and employees in Manitou who use these modalities and who are willing to share their stories with the community. Please contact the Pikes Peak Bulletin to connect or direct message us via Facebook or Instagram @pacmanitou. 

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

    I moved here in June of 2023 to be with my partner who has lived here for 35 years.

    What are the pros and cons of walking and bicycling in Manitou? 

    Walking in downtown Manitou and along the Creek Walk Trail is nice. There are also lots of trails around town that are easily accessible on foot. Cycling is a bit more challenging however since some of the roads have a shared designation for both bicycling and cars which I don’t feel comfortable with. Biking along Fountain Creek using the Creek Walk Trail near Fields Park is a nice option to connect with the Midland Trail.  

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

    It would be nice to have more designated biking routes, which I know is an issue since the roads are already narrow. The walking-bike path that goes from the pool to town is a nice improvement with the concrete which has helped with drainage and rutting that used to be an issue in the past. It would be nice to see more plants, flowers, and trees planted along all the creek paths. They did a nice job with the Adam’s Crossing area, but the upkeep is hit and miss. I do weeding of some invasive species when I see them in the summer and early fall. 

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

    I would say to reach out to PaCMan for options. Also, try connecting with bike groups such as the Manitou Spokes and the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort for different biking opportunities and routes. 

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

    Designated bike routes that are safe from cars. Also, more bike racks that can handle traditional bikes as well as electric pedal assist bikes. There are limited bike racks downtown for bikes. 

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

    I mainly keep to biking and walking and hope to do more once it warms up. 

  • Bike Month and Why We Should Care About Promoting Bicycling As A Sustainability Goal

    Bike Month and Why We Should Care About Promoting Bicycling As A Sustainability Goal

    U.S Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by sector pie chart and U.S. Transportation sector GHG emissions by source pie chart

    Did you know that transportation is the largest contributor of human-caused U.S. greenhouse gas emissions per the EPA? Sadly, our cars are the primary driver of climate change today (Our World In Data). Did you also know that more than half of all daily trips in cars are less than three miles (UCLA)? This means most trips are short enough to be completed on foot, by bus, or on a bicycle. In fact, the average American produces roughly three times as much carbon dioxide pollution from transportation as the average resident of the UK, France or Germany (League of American Bicyclists). How can we get more communities to shift to greener transportation modes such as cycling? For years people have discovered, renewed participation in, and celebrated the joy of bicycling during National Bike Month, Colorado Bike Month, Bike To Work Day, and Mayor’s Rides all over the U.S. So, what is Bike Month all about and how does it help us achieve sustainability goals?

    National Bike Month occurs each May across the U.S. and originated in 1956 (Wikipedia) to encourage more people to bicycle. In Colorado, Bike Month activities are largely celebrated each June since May weather can be unpredictable, and June’s fairer weather lends itself to enticing more people into the great outdoors and onto bikes. The League of American Bicyclists, our national non-profit advocating for safer and more enjoyable cycling for all, promotes this event as an opportunity for communities to celebrate the joy of bicycling, to highlight the benefits, and to entice more folks to replace car trips by bicycle. The League also shares Bike Month promotional materials and other helpful resources such as cycling data and safety tips on their website at bikeleague.org. The overarching goal of National Bike Month is to get more people to make cycling a bigger part of their everyday lives. This greener transportation choice can help us cut down on CO2 emissions in our communities.

    Bike Month activities include Bike To Work Week, Bike To Work Day, Mayor’s Rides, kids bike rodeos, cycling commuter incentives, walk/roll/bike to school and bikeshare opportunities, open streets events, ride to wherever promotions, and self-guided cycling tours that retrace history of an area or allow the discovery of outdoor art sculptures, murals, and pollinator gardens, to name a few. “Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or with family, or taking essential trips to work or shop, you are part of our movement for safer streets, connected communities, a healthier planet, and happier people” according to Bicycle Colorado. And, choosing to replace car trips with cycling just once a day can reduce the average person’s carbon emissions from transportation by 67% (UCLA).

    Bike To Work Day events are typically offered as Bike Month activities and aim to encourage more people to replace the work commute by bike. Incentives and ride tracking opportunities are often part of the Bike To Work Week/Day experience. One example is the Bike To Work Breakfast event which invites businesses all over Colorado to offer breakfast stations for cyclists to make a pit stop for hot coffee and an assortment of breakfast items during morning hours enroute to the office. By offering breakfast stations to commuting cyclists, the hope is to get more people to try active transportation. Other examples of Bike To Work Day activities include incentives such as a Bike To Work or Wherever Photo Contests which entice people to cycle to work or wherever such as coffee shops, errands, rides with the family to parks, etc. Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan) offered this type of program in the past where residents and employees were invited to earn prizes from local shops by tagging PaCMan on their cycling trip photos. These types of incentives help turn the bike to work experience into a fun challenge that people can easily participate in on their own or while biking to the office. Getting more people cycling to work has green benefits too. AARP asserts that “if a person commuting 20 miles round-trip to work switches to public transit, biking or walking, it reduces his or her carbon footprint by at least 4,800 tons—which is equal to about 10% of all greenhouse emissions in a typical two-adult, two-car household.”

    The Mayor’s Ride is another fun opportunity for the community to try bicycling in a social setting and at a leisurely pace, while helping the planet. This event is an important opportunity for not only city officials and staff to lead, by example in support of a community that cycles, but also allows participants to see our town from a different perspective. Participants can socialize with elected officials, fellow community members, and make new connections while discovering the joy of bicycling and supporting cleaner air.

    In short, National Bike Month allows communities to connect at a slower pace to experience the joy, health, social and environmental benefits, as well as reduced traffic congestion, and added economic benefits of bicycling. Learn more at bikeleague.org. Look for PaCMan’s posts about Bike Month and other topics at @pacmanitou.

    by Joan Stang

  • Bruce Barron – Transportation Q&A

    Bruce Barron – Transportation Q&A

    Bruce Barron poses with his bike at Schryver Park

    Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We’d like to take a moment to thank the Pikes Peak Bulletin for sharing these important perspectives with the community. We also thank community members who have stepped forward to share their active transportation stories this year and beyond. We cannot create safe, accessible, and convenient walking and rolling experiences in our community without your help. We’d now like to introduce Bruce Barron, who is currently the president of the Pikes Peak Road Runners, a former Regional Transportation Planner in the Pittsburgh area, and uses a bicycle to visit Manitou Springs. Bruce strongly understands that building more lanes/roads will not solve traffic congestion. Instead, he encourages everyone to utilize shuttles in Manitou and to use modalities other than cars. We hope his story inspires you. 

    How long have you been working in and visiting Manitou Springs as a volunteer and working with the Pikes Peak Road Runners? 

    I have been on the board of the Pikes Peak Road Runners, the main running organization for the Colorado Springs area for four years. My wife and I have been full-time residents here for five years, but we began spending summers in Colorado Springs in 2013. I have been a frequent cyclist in Manitou Springs throughout that time. We greatly appreciate Manitou Springs’ status as a superior running race destination. The Pikes Peak Road Runners provide volunteer recruitment assistance to Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc., the nonprofit that manages the Barr Trail Mountain Race in July and the Pikes Peak Ascent and marathon in September.

    How often do you work in and visit Manitou by bicycle?

    I live near the Garden of the Gods, and my second car is a bike. So nearly every trip I make into Manitou Springs—occasionally for meetings, but mostly for workouts on the Intemann Trail, Barr Trail, Ute Trail, or Manitou Incline—is by bicycle. Typically, I’m on a bike in Manitou Springs once or twice per week, except in winter since I have learned the hard way not to do running workouts on ice.

    What are the pros/cons of cycling to and getting around Manitou?

    Biking in Manitou is a pleasure for several reasons. Bicycles still get free parking. I can put my bike on the free shuttle bus when traveling to the Barr Trail or Incline and have it waiting for me when I come down. On busy summer days, I can carefully squeeze between moving and parked traffic and usually travel down Manitou Avenue faster than the cars. The main drawback is the lack of reserved lane space for bicycles in the downtown area and on Ruxton Avenue, but the traffic is generally slow enough not to pose a problem. I can remember when Colorado Avenue leaving Manitou was four lanes of fast-moving vehicle traffic with no bike lanes, so I’m not complaining.

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

    The main improvement I’d like to see is an escalator for uphill bikes on Ruxton. Since that’s not feasible, I’ll suggest something much less expensive. I think that improved signage showing bicyclists the pathway from Fields Park toward downtown Manitou (between Manitou Avenue and El Paso Boulevard), along with “shared roadway” or “watch for bikes” signs in the downtown area, might make the city more attractive to bicyclists.

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

    I can only guess because I don’t have survey data. But perhaps greater awareness of how hard it is to drive or park a car on busy days, combined with a well-promoted and highly visible rent-a-bike (or e-bike) station on the edge of town, dedicated bike parking areas, and a perceived safe bike route into downtown, could persuade significant numbers of people to exchange their car for a bike. Manitou will never feel as bikeable as Vancouver, because the streets are too few and too crowded, but it’s possible to make biking into and out of town feel like an enjoyable experience.

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

    Although I can still bike up Ruxton without ruining my day, I am grateful for Manitou Springs’ support of the #33 shuttle bus that enables me to begin a tough running workout with slightly fresher legs.

  • Heather Leigh Strom (& Gigi) – Active transportation Q&A

    Heather Leigh Strom (& Gigi) – Active transportation Q&A

    Heather Leigh Strom and her Corgi Gigi astride her ebike

    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. 

  • Emily Sawyer – Transportation Q&A

    Emily Sawyer – Transportation Q&A

    Emily Sawyer poses with her ebike in front of Manitou Springs Real Estate

    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!