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.