Courtesy of Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou
Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaC-MAN). We hope you find inspiration from this story about Manitou Springs resident Hillary Mannion and her family, who own one car and choose a variety of multi-mobility modes as transportation.
How do they manage? Hillary’s husband, Patrick, has the car most of the week and does the grocery shopping and any weekly errands as needed.
Patrick also picks up the kids after school, while Hillary walks them to school in the morning.
On Saturdays, Hillary has the car for work and runs any outlying errands before work or during her lunch break. The Mannions chose to have only one car because:
1. It’s good for the environment;
2. It simplifies life (it feels good to have less stuff); and
3. They are free to budget for travel expenses or other things rather than the expenses of a second car.
How long have you been a resident and why did you choose to live in Manitou?
I have lived in Manitou with my family for 10 years. We moved here in 2011 from Washington, D.C., because Patrick got a job in Colorado Springs. Researching the area from afar, we knew we wanted to live in Manitou for various reasons, but one of the biggest was that it was a walkable community.
Living in D.C., we had relied on walking, biking and public transportation to get to school, work, stores, coffee shops, pubs, etc., for 10 years and we wanted to stick to that habit as much as possible.
What are the pros and cons of using multimobility modes to get around as a Manitou resident?
I take the bus to work in downtown Colorado Springs. I love the bus! I have 20 minutes to myself each way. I can read, knit, gaze out the window, book plane tickets, learn Spanish, etc.
I also love that I communicate with other humans, and am not isolated in my commute. It is great seeing people in town as I walk to the bus stop, to include making a few bus buddies, too.
In addition, exercise is built into my day. I get a brisk walk in the morning and an unwinding walk in the evening.
Taking the bus requires planning and time, and means less flexibility with my day. But, thinking things through and making it work is really rewarding.
For instance, if I need to get back to Manitou quickly, I catch an Uber, or might call on friends for help. Or, if I have to get to the bus stop in a hurry with the boys, I have them ride their skateboards.
What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking experience?
Enforcement of crosswalks and more respect for pedestrians and bicyclists. I want to feel safe on the road. I have lived in and visited cities where it is considered shameful not to stop at crosswalks. I would like a culture where walking and bicycling is more supported and celebrated.
What advice would you give someone who would like to give walking and/or micromobility as transportation a try but doesn’t have much time?
Before you write it off, think about the small things you can do to make it work. Know that you will need to plan ahead — but the rewards are great.
What do you think would increase more walking and rolling of visitors and residents?
I think education and celebration are key. It would be great if visitors were happy to park and walk into the core of town. Maybe that means signs letting them know it is only a 10-minute walk.
For bus utilization, we can build awareness of the nuts and bolts of taking the bus, i.e. routes, costs, etc. I think it can be intimidating to trust public transportation if you are not in the habit of using it. In Olympia, Wash., they have a bus mentor program, so you have a buddy to get you started. I thought that was a thoughtful program.
What other form of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like?
On warmer days, I ride my bike to work about twice a week. I take the Midland Trail. It is a great way to start my day! The ride in is about 45 minutes.
Do you get around via micromobility, public transit, bicycle or on foot? PaC-MAN wants to hear from you! Please send your story and a photo to education@bikecoloradosprings.org. Be safe, no matter how you choose to get around.