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 3rd.
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.