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.