Category: Transportation Stories

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! It is with great pleasure that we introduce Pikes Peak Marathon volunteer, and frequent Manitou Springs trail runner and visitor, Matt Jones. From time to time, we meetup with people who chose to visit Manitou utilizing active mobility options outside of cars. Matt is one such visitor. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank him for being a volunteer in support of one of our many local events. Matt would also like to say that he “hope[s] that his involvement with the Pikes Peak Marathon could be helpful in building a coalition around active transportation and implementing solutions.” 

How long have you been working in Manitou Springs as a volunteer and for which organization?

I have been volunteering with the Pikes Peak Marathon since July of 2021. I also briefly worked with the Colorado Springs Parks, Trails and Open Space program to assist with the Manitou Incline Reservation system. 

How often do you visit Manitou?

I visit Manitou about 3 times per month on average throughout the year. 

What are the pros/cons of walking/running/rolling/taking shuttles or buses to get to/around Manitou?

If time isn’t an issue, I prefer to bike to Manitou from my home in Colorado Springs. I’m able to easily connect on multiple trail systems before riding down Colorado-Manitou Ave. I would say that Manitou Ave from Schryver Park to City Hall could improve bike friendliness. The best bike through area is El Paso Blvd, with some of the best views and decent bike lanes.

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

It would be great to see more bike signs and promotions of the bike route on El Paso Blvd. As a trail runner I think of Manitou as the gateway to the Mountains, whether it’s Barr Trail, the Intemann Trail, or the Ute Pass Trail, there’s an unlimited amount of routes and adventures from the trailheads in Manitou. However, balancing a long run and parking have become quite a pain and honestly a deterrent. Hopefully, I’m not oversharing my personal best parking spots, but if I’m planning to run in Manitou I’ll park at the Trading Post or in Red Rock Canyon Open Space to access the trails in Manitou. It definitely adds some miles to a run, but it’s worth it to save dollars over the long run. 

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 recommend doing a test run/ride on a day off to work out any concerns about time constraints to help dispel any misconceptions about challenges of changing our travel habits. Riding a bike always opens you up to new areas, views, businesses and people you may meet along the way!

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

Education! I think there is a huge mental barrier to changing your mode of transportation. I think more videos on how to plan effective and safe routes with a visual representation would help immensely. Before I started commuting to Manitou and anywhere else on a bike, there was always a sense of hesitancy and anxiety about the routes. Once I rode the route, I was relieved by the ease and the satisfaction of enjoying our one of a kind outdoor spaces. Any resources committed to increasing the awareness, access and ease would make exponential changes in the mentality around active transportation. 

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

Most typical travel has always been driving my personal car. I have also parked in Old Colorado City, taken the bus and rented a PikeRide bike with my partner Jess to ride to our friend’s wedding at the Craftwood Inn. In the future it would be great to see a bus route dedicated to our area’s open spaces and parks. This would be a great service for our local outdoor community and for the millions of visitors every year. Imagine a bus route that would have a stop at the top 10 destinations of every visitor. There’s nothing worse than planning out your day in nature to have to change plans due to the lack of available parking at a trailhead. 

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan). We are excited to introduce Manitou resident Cory Sutela. Of the many hats Cory wears, these include Carnivale King 2024 (and wife Andrea as Carnivale Queen 2024), Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates Executive Director, Manitou Springs Mobility and Parking Board Chair, Bike Colorado Springs Executive Committee Member, and PaCMan founding member. Cory is someone who leads by example while encouraging others to discover the joy of active transportation and cycling. Cory often can be seen arriving by bicycle for meetings or rolling along Manitou Avenue on his way to work. We hope that you find his perspective about safer bicycling infrastructure and expanded mobility options inspirational. Finally in case you did not know, Cory is from Canada and took steps to become an American citizen last year. We congratulate him on this important achievement, wish him success in everything he does, and thank him for serving the Manitou community.

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

I moved to the region in 2004 and initially lived in the downtown CS area. In 2009 I moved to Manitou. I chose this area to make my home primarily because of the easy access to multi-use trails and naturally beautiful areas. I chose Manitou specifically because of the community feeling here, a small town in the mountains. I have always particularly appreciated community events like Emma Crawford and Carnivale, which bring locals and visitors together in celebration, with a gorgeous mountain backdrop!  

What are the pros/cons of walking/rolling/taking shuttles or bus in Manitou (please select and talk to whichever mode you predominately use)?

While I do also use a car for transportation, my primary mode of transportation is biking. Biking provides me with mental and physical health benefits, and it is often a quicker and more convenient way to get where I need to go. It connects me with the environment and neighbors in a way that I can’t experience when I am ‘trapped in my car’.

The hills in Manitou can be daunting for a cyclist, and the weather is a frequent consideration. In order to ride year-round, planning and proper equipment are a must. Once you’re used to riding them regularly, the hills provide a manageable and energizing challenge.

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

The biggest potential improvements would be the completion of a safe bike route into and throughout the city, and maintenance of our existing bike network.  While, the network is great in some places, it isn’t consistent enough throughout the city to make it safe and convenient for all users and all destinations.  

During inclement weather, I wish more attention could be paid to keeping the bike lanes we do have clear and usable.  More often than not they are compromised by snow stacked in them, or debris that forces riders into vehicle lanes.

I believe that expansion of a shuttle service throughout Manitou will reduce congestion and make Manitou more enjoyable for residents and visitors.  Any new shuttle system should include consideration of carrying bikes and other mobility devices, especially as new electric conveyances become more popular. 

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

Start by planning an event around it – for example, reserve time on a weekend to explore Manitou (maybe a tour of the mineral springs?) using active transportation, without a specific destination or a deadline.  The Pike Ride system, or one of our e-bike rental shops, provide a convenient and low-barrier way to get a taste for biking around Manitou if you are concerned about hills. Check out local bike shops to learn about the latest active wear that can help you manage any weather.  Always carry an extra set of warm gloves!

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

A more complete transit and shuttle system that allows users to bring their bikes with them, and a clearly defined SAFE bike route to and from Colorado Springs.

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

I enjoy taking public transportation while on vacation in places where there is a reliable network. I use it less while at home because I usually have other options that are faster, and I’m often in a hurry. While the Bustang system is overall very good and I use it whenever I can to visit Denver, I dream of a future with Front Range Passenger Rail that will make visiting other Colorado cities easier and safer.

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan). We welcome February with an active transportation interview from Manitou Springs Middle School teacher, Evan Johnson. Evan spreads joy not only in the classroom but also from the seat of a bicycle. He also understands the benefits of walking and rolling to school events. Staci, a Manitou local, recently shared this compliment about Evan: “Mr. Johnson is a caring, fun, and motivating teacher. He went on the Costa Rica trip this summer with a bunch of students and we felt so safe having him chaperoning! It was a life changing experience for our kiddo and one that they will never forget. He’s great!”

How long have you been a resident and how long have you worked in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live and work here?

I’ve lived in Manitou from 2020 to 2022 and have worked at the Manitou Springs Middle School from 2021 until the present. I grew up in Minneapolis, MN, and did a road trip during college that brought me through Manitou.  The combination of natural beauty and unique shops made me tell my friends it was the coolest town I’d ever seen. I moved to the Pikes Peak Region shortly afterwards in 2015 and spent a lot of time walking and biking around Manitou.

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

I used to ride my bike from the west end of Manitou to work on most weekdays.  It was a smooth experience and a great way to start my workday.  Now, I live on the west side of Colorado Springs and still commute by bike on some days.  I always feel safe when I’m biking around the Manitou area due to wide streets and safe speed limits.  

Last spring, PaCMan and I hosted a bike to school event. Everyone who biked rode to Fields Park after school and had ice cream.  Last fall, our Partners for Healthy Choices team and PaCMan collaborated to host a National Walk/Bike/Roll to school celebration.  We told students that they would get a Rocky Mountain Beignet if they participated (shout out for sponsoring us).  30 students showed up with smiles on their faces!

I think that Manitou is a safe place for kids to bike, but some may be intimidated by the traffic.  Some kids will benefit from doing rides with more experienced riders. There are some safe riding skills that are more easily caught than taught. They will feel more comfortable on their bikes after riding with groups. I saw this firsthand when I was a bike program leader for a K-7 day camp in Leadville, CO.

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

I am glad that the city is doing work on the trail between the visitor and pool and fitness centers.  Thank you!

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

John J. Ratey’s book Spark explains how exercise supports mental health. Chemicals are released that combat anxious and sad thoughts and optimize our brains for learning and retaining new information. We also know that we should be doing 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per day for our physical health. It might take more time to commute without a car, but you’re improving your mental and physical health every time you do this. Start by trying to not use your car for 1-2 days a week and see how this makes you feel.

What do you think would increase more walking/rolling/biking/active transportation to schools and in Manitou in general? 

I think that more people will participate in active transportation if they see friends and neighbors doing it. If parents and community members lead occasional rides and give incentives to youth for participating in active transportation, more and more will join the ranks.  

If we teach youth about the mental and physical health benefits of exercise, they will notice how it affects them and more will make it a habit.  Students in our district are very interested in mental health and healthy habits due to the work of many school and community organizations. 

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

I don’t use eBikes or scooters, but I am thrilled that they are gaining traction.  As more people use them, our cities will invest more money in infrastructure that cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from too.