Greetings! We kickoff the new year with a #walking as #activetransporation story from #manitousprings visitor Kelly King! Kelly has frequent meetups in Manitou to stroll with friends and strut with client’s pets. Her outdoor excursions often incorporate a #coffeeshop or other stop. If you see Kelly out walking sometime, please say hello! We hope her mobility perspectives inspire you to walk an errand or two and replace car trips this year. Read entire article on PaCMan: Pedestrian and Cycle, Manitou Springs.
How often do you visit Manitou Springs using which active transportation modality predominately?
I visit Manitou monthly to dog/cat sit for many Manitou families. I often meet a friend who lives in Manitou on the weekends as well to walk and try out all the fabulous coffee places!
Why do you walk/carpool/take MMT bus/shuttles in Manitou and how has it improved your experiences in Manitou?
90% of the time I am walking due to the proximity of everything in town and the fact that I walk dogs who I steward, through the parks and such for exercise.
What are the pros/cons of walking and taking the MMT bus/shuttles in Manitou?
I find that I notice my environment much more while walking. I can take it all in and enjoy the view! It is also easier to be friendly when you come up to people individually versus being in a car. A smile from someone is always nice to put in my back pocket. I also find that motorists in Manitou Springs are lovely when it comes to sharing the road/crosswalks/etc. with pedestrians. I guess the weather would be the only con of walking if a snowstorm or rainstorm came in!
What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking/transit/shuttle experiences in Manitou?
I love walking trails and enjoying nature and art throughout. No cars, only bikes and people!
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 suggest researching each mode of transport to see if any can be accommodating to your tight schedule.
What other form(s) of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like?
I am mostly a walker, but I do ride my bicycle through the trails and on the road sometimes as well. I find the people of Manitou respect bicycle riders at the same friendly level they do walkers.
Is there anything else you think we should know about you that would help inspire others to try active transportation such as the benefits and how it elevates the human experience/connecting with nature/environment outside of cars please?
I quit drinking 3 years ago and now I seem to look at walking / cycling as a hobby that I can be present for versus looking at it as a task to go from Point A to Point B.