Category: Transportation Stories

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!

Qiana Glaze’s face beams as she recites her experience as a recipient of Manitou Springs’ Ebike voucher program. She lightly sips on a cup of coffee from The Loft as we lean in from across the table to hear each other speak. The room is filled with many happily chatting visitors. Cody serves up smiles behind the counter as he greets customers who wander inside and settle in to soak up the good vibes, colors, and conversation with family and friends.

Qiana has had plantar fasciitis from serving tables for decades, but she still walks—as transportation. She had no idea that Manitou was offering residents one year + at the middle and low-income levels financial assistance to purchase an Ebike of their own until a friend who got theirs told her about it. Qiana made a wish and set her intention hoping that she would be selected to receive a voucher of her own—and it worked! She now uses her Ebike to get groceries from Safeway on Colorado Avenue, take her dog for runs, and gets out and about more.

Before her Ebike, Qiana mainly walked, took the bus—especially during the zero fare for cleaner air program, and carpooled. Today she asserts using her Ebike is faster than walking, taking the bus or having to coordinate a ride. In fact, she considers her Ebike a car—as do many of her friends. And for so many other residents, this program is the only way they could have even considered purchasing an Ebike.

A Manitou resident off and on for 25 years and car-free for three, Qiana’s appreciation is infectious as she smiles while speaking of the gratitude, she feels for having been selected to receive a voucher.  “This is our home,” states Qiana. “Manitou picked me. However, it’s hard enough to live here and find parking. If you have a bicycle, you can get around more easily and not add to congestion and poor air quality.” Having already put over 100 miles on her Ebike, she recounts with excitement a recent trip to Mountain Mama exclaiming that Manitou and Colorado Springs are perfect for Ebikes with side streets that offer the potential for our communities to become bike friendly cities such as Boulder, CO. “Everyone wants to be in this joint (Colorado) for its beauty and fresh air. In fact, I visited Garden of the Gods Park and didn’t have to sit in traffic like everyone else!”

Qiana adds that “every day is nice out” and rides her bike each chance she gets, even on cooler cloudy days in winter. She has also been talking with her mother about applying for a voucher stating, “Mom is a young 70+ year old and loves being active. An Ebike would be perfect for her.” 

When asked what the pros and cons are of bicycling in Manitou Qiana exclaimed, “We need more bike racks to park where you actually want to visit in Manitou and Old Colorado City. Our communities lack well-placed racks that are easy to find and serve you where you are going.” She adds, “All our little paths and roads where we can’t take any more cars should be designated for bikes and walking only. This helps reduce road maintenance and air pollution, and a more walkable town also helps tourism and the economy.” When visiting where she grew up in Atlanta, GA about five years ago she states she “could not believe the traffic everywhere,” and feels that America should become an “Ebike nation.”

Qiana also believes that to increase more people using Ebikes and other micromobility in Manitou would be to offer the Ebike voucher program again. However, advises a stronger marketing effort such that more residents are aware when the program is made available. “I have so many friends who didn’t even know the program existed,” she adds.

Finally, Qiana’s long-term goal is to tow her dog behind her Ebike. This would involve getting a trailer and extra batteries, with the goal in mind to tour the U.S. allthewhile staying at hotels and seeing the sites and beauty from the seat of a bicycle! “A bicycle path from Colorado Springs to Denver,” would also be nice and exclaims, “can you imagine being able to cycle to Red Rocks Amphitheater?”

Qiana feels that residents hardly get any benefits from tourism, but the fruitcake toss and maybe a few other events. However, this Ebike voucher program is a “game changer,” helps residents in need, and shows that the Mayor and city care about residents. “I would not have been able to afford an Ebike without this assistance, and I appreciate that I am a recipient of this program,” says Qiana. She feels like having an Ebike is equivalent to having a car—but better—and hopes to see more people like her on bicycles.