Category: Transportation Stories

Greetings Manitou Springs! Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan) here celebrating Bike Month in Colorado which happens each June. So what is Bike Month all about? Bike Month is a way for communities to offer various ways to encourage citizens to replace car trips by bike. One such opportunity to try this out is during the annual Mayor’s Ride and PaCMan’s Bike to Work or Wherever Photo Contest, where we ask participants to tag us on Facebook or Instagram with their commuting photos. We would love to hear your stories, and you could win a prize too—thanks in part to a MACH grant. For more details about the contest, please visit us on Facebook or Instagram. And speaking of cycling as transportation, we recently caught up with one such resident who uses a bicycle to get around. Thanks to Matt Carpenter for sharing his active transportation story. We hope that you enjoy his perspective below. See you on the road!

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

I started visiting Manitou in 1987 for the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. I moved to Colorado Springs in 1991 but found I was always coming to Manitou for my longer runs. Therefore, to get easier access to Pikes Peak and the other area trails, I moved to Manitou in 1998. I took over the Colorado Custard Company in 2012. I have always run or biked to work wherever I have lived. Although I haven’t raced since 2011, I’m coming up on 11 years where I have run at least 1 hour every single day. I also have a scooter that is the perfect commute/errand vehicle for a small town like Manitou.

What are the pros/cons of cycling/running to not only work in Manitou but also to get around/run errands?

Trying to stay active and hopefully healthy is the most positive benefit. But parking, or rather not having to worry about parking, is the main driver for me. Because of our low speed limits (most of my 2.5 mile commute has a 20mph speed limit) and many pedestrian crossings I can bike to the shop faster than I could in car when you factor in the time saved parking. While the trip home takes a little longer because it’s uphill, I find a bike ride home the perfect way to unwind from a day of long lines at the shop. As far as cons go, some might call our hills a con but I love hills! So about the only con that comes to mind is the occasional ride in the rain.

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

One of the reasons I took up trail running was to be in nature which does not require “esthetic improvements.” Indeed, the more natural the better. As far as commuting to/from the shop on a bike goes it’s just that, a commute, and I don’t really put much thought into it.

What advice would you give someone who would like to give walking/rolling/transit as transportation in and to Manitou but does not have much time?

Like anything new just don’t make the mistake of doing too much all at once. Start out with the goal of once a week. Then twice a week. By then you will get the kinks worked out, find the best route, etc. and chances are you will find your stress levels going down and your quality time going up. If your route is really hilly or you are living outside of Manitou, an e-bike could be your golden ticket. They make you feel like superman! You can try one out right at Manitou’s very own e-bike shop.

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

With all the paid parking and congestion, I think the incentives are already there. You just have to wake up one day and decide to try something different.

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

I started out almost exclusively on my scooter because it gets about 120mpg and is free and easy to park. Over the last 3 years I have switched to just biking. Basically, I needed to get some pedal/seat time for a 767 mile bike trip to Phoenix, AZ in 2021, and a 464 mile bike trip to Mount Rushmore, SD in 2022. I still use my scooter on the days I need to stop by the Safeway to get shop supplies. Most recently, while my daughter was away on vacation, I tried out her e-bike. I find that I still pedal at the same effort, but I just go a lot faster. I even used it instead of my scooter for the Safeway trips. E-bikes are amazing! Although I do lots of literal “errand runs,” in the 12 years of owning the shop I could probably count on one hand the number of times I have run to/from it as a commute. Likewise, it would probably only take two hands to count the number of times I have taken a car. But even then, I was just dropped off/picked up so no parking was involved. I have never tried a bus.

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We are excited about interviewing at least four residents from Manitou Springs about their experiences walking and rolling as transportation this year and look forward to meeting you! Please direct message us on Facebook (@pacmanitou) if you’d like to share your story with the community.

We recently caught up with Jacob Jacobsen about his experiences walking to school in Manitou. Please take a moment to read his story. PaCMan hopes that you will be inspired to replace one car trip with active transportation and that more parents and kids will participate in the National Walk and Roll to School Day on May 3^rd.

How long have you been a resident and why did you choose to live in Manitou? 

I have been a resident in Manitou for 8 months and I choose to live here because of the scenery. Living at the foot of a mountain is nice. Previously living in Michigan, it was much harder to walk to school and was too long of a walk.

What are the pros/cons of walking to MSHS?

The pros of walking to MSHS are how relaxing it can be before the day ahead, getting mentally prepared for school, and getting exercise, The cons of walking are how hot or cold the mornings can be when walking, but dressing appropriately can get rid of those problems.  

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

I already think my walking experience is already the best it can be as I can mostly take sidewalks to get to my destination.    

What advice would you give someone who would like to give walking as transportation to MSHS a try but does not have much time? 

I would tell them to take short walks at first and if they like walking, start making time to take longer and longer walks, but if they don’t, they should use other types of transportation such as a PikeRide or regular bike, carpool, or bus.

What do you think would increase more walking and rolling of students to school in Manitou? 

I don’t think anything could be improved that would increase more students walking to school other than to ask that students consider their impacts on the planet. Fewer car trips means cleaner air. There are so many ways that we can all try to lessen our impact on the climate crisis.

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

I don’t take any other types of transportation. I only walk to school. Like I mentioned before, walking to school has so many positive benefits and allows me to see the beautiful scenery. 

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We recently had a Manitou resident nominate Rayna Lindsey for an interview with us about their experiences getting around Manitou Springs via multimobility. We thank ALL the folks who were willing to share their stories this year about getting around Manitou on foot, bicycle, or via other multimobility means. PaCMan encourages community members to reach out to us to share your stories as well.

How long have you been a resident and why did you choose to live in Manitou? 

I’ve lived here off and on since 1976. I love the small-town vibe where I can get to know people who I see over and over again. My neighbors are the greatest! I originally picked Manitou for its proximity to wild spaces, walkability, bike ability and public transit. I like living close to downtown.

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

I am easily able to leave my car parked for multiple days at a time. I walk, bike or take the bus frequently. But when I have to shop in Colorado Springs, I usually drive.

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

I’d love to have a grocery store in Manitou that was big enough to stock good produce. The town’s paved streets are generally pretty good, but certain streets, such as Lover’s Lane, are important for bikes. I know Colorado Springs Utilities tore it all up over the past year, but I’d appreciate it getting put back smoothly so I don’t feel like I’m taking my life in my hands to ride it. Fix potholes promptly because they can do a number on a bicyclist.

What advice would you give someone who would like to give walking/rolling/taking the bus as transportation a try but does not have much time? 

Pick somewhere close as a destination. If you drink alcohol, it’s a good idea to walk. Also try parking a distance away and then walking to your destination. All the activity we do adds up. Walking, climbing stairs, all these contribute to being fit and a higher quality of life.

What do you think would increase more walking and rolling of visitors and residents? 

It’s a mindset thing. We are so used to hopping in the car for everything. I like to stop and think about my destination and decide if there’s a way to get there without driving. Few visitors know about the wonderful Creek Walk Trail. I hope the Chamber, hotels, and other visitor amenities can promote use of this great path and other ways to get around.

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

I have traveled by air—but rarely, and bus or train in the past. I’ve also used Uber and Lyft a time or two. I plan to use Bustang in the near future to get to Denver.

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

I have lived in Manitou Springs on and off for 10 years, but more recently, I have been living in my current location for almost 2 years. 

I chose to live in Manitou Springs mainly because of the slower paced, mountain town vibe. The people here are either healthy minded, into athletics or are artists of some sort. 

Having grown up on the westside of Colorado Springs, Manitou wasn’t too far of a move.

As an avid cyclist, I have easy access to some of the best training rides one could ever ask for. 

What are the pros/cons of walking/cycling/rolling/being a carless resident in Manitou? (pick whichever describes you)

Pros:

When commuting via bicycle in Manitou Springs, I feel like I have a lot of freedom. I can ride on the road; I have access to cycling paths or I can hop off and walk my bike to my destination. There are plenty of bicycle racks to lock my bike to and parking is always free.  There are also plenty of steep hills to get a good workout in as part of my ride. 

Cons: 

The large amount of car traffic can be a bit stressful if I am in a hurry, but the slower pace of downtown can be just right at times. 

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

I think proper signage to alert drivers to the new safety stop laws would be beneficial to me as a cyclist. 

What advice would you give someone who would like to give walking or rolling as transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time or know where to start?

The best advice I would give someone who wants to try walking or rolling around Manitou would be to give yourself plenty on time to get around. If you leave plenty early, you can enjoy the trip rather than be stressed out. 

If you are thinking of cycling around Manitou, visit your local bike shop to get set up with everything you need to ride safely.

I would also recommend researching bike routes and trails as to avoid traffic as much as possible. 

And as always, hills aren’t IN the way, they ARE the way. 

What do you think would increase more walking and rolling of visitors and residents in Manitou?

I think public repair stations would benefit cyclists. Since there isn’t a full service bike shop in Manitou, repair stations would offer some cyclists the peace of mind knowing that they can fix their bike if they choose to venture into the town without their own tools. 

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

I sometimes utilize the public bus system. I really enjoy the fact that the buses have bicycle racks on the front of them for when I don’t feel like riding home. 

I have also rented some of the PikeRide e-bikes to much success. The bike share programs are perfect for someone who just wants a bike for a short period of time, without having to fully invest in maintaining their own bicycle. 

Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaCMan)! We recently stopped by to chat with Rey Figueroa of Good Karma Cafe. Rey has chosen to live carless in Manitou Springs and shared with us about that experience. Here are his thoughts about his carless experience and ideas about how to get more folks to give walking and rolling as transportation a try.

How long have you been a resident and business owner in Manitou Springs choosing to live and operate a business without a vehicle?

I have been a resident of Manitou Springs for 8.5 years and an owner of a business without car for 3 years.

What are the pros/cons of living here and operating a business carless in Manitou?

The pros include the freedom and sense of mental and physical health it offers. Now, I am a better planner of my time and more productive when I drive as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft service. I get piece of mind of knowing that I am not a major contributor of a negative impact of contaminating the environment with fossil fuel gases/emissions. 

The cons would be the immediate gratification of getting in a vehicle that you control to move from point A to point B. After all, it is a conventional illusion.

What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your experience living and working carless in Manitou?

Walking around is so much more pleasant without vehicles or the noise disturbances that vehicles emit. It would be ideal to limit access to motorized vehicles only to the perimeter of a town or city.

What advice would you give someone who would like to try living in Manitou without a car but doesn’t know where to start or have much time?

Follow me for a week!  Learn to simplify your life and improve your quality of life.

What do you think would increase the number of residents and business owners to live and work in Manitou without a car?

Don’t make excuses! Just do it! There has been major decentralization after this past pandemic. Corporations realized the need and benefits of allowing employees to work remotely. Walking or biking is beneficial in the long term. The need to establish convenient stores closer or in town has increased. People will get out and interact, and this makes a stronger community in all its aspects

What other form(s) of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like?  I mainly walk and also use an E-Bike and a long board, and as I stated before Uber or Lyft services on occasion. Walking, cycling, and using a long board make me feel like a kid again at my middle age. I am very fortunate to do so and feel active, which has helped prolong healthy aging.