Active transportation: Ben Rasmusen on walk and bike commutes in Manitou
Greetings from Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou (PaC-MAN)! This month, we would like to introduce you to 2025 Manitou Springs Citizens Academy graduate and Manitou resident, Ben Rasmusen. Ben works in downtown Manitou and has kids attending the Manitou school district.
Ben uses walking and cycling to get to and from work, and he and his wife choose to walk into Manitou to recreate. Ben says that walking can become part of anyone's daily routine - and not a separate activity - with benefits such as enjoying nature, getting fresh air, and having chance opportunities to meet a neighbor or friend along the way.
Ben also mentions that in the Crystal Hills neighborhood where he lives, it can be unnerving to have motorists pass close where there are few sidewalks and slim shoulders along the roadway. While you are out and about driving in Manitou this summer, please remember to look for road users of all shapes, sizes, speeds and abilities. Please slow down, be patient and yield along blind corners, and give plenty of space when passing peds and cyclists so that we may all get home safely and enjoy our beautiful town! For more information about road safety and the laws please visit Bicycle Colorado's Rules of the Road and Trail webpage at BicycleColorado.org/ride-colorado/rules-of-the-road.
How long have you been living in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live here?
We moved to Manitou Springs about six years ago after living a year in Pleasant Valley and spending a lot of time in Manitou Springs. The Manitou Springs School District was a huge draw for us; it has been a great fit for our kids. We also love the proximity to trails and the small town feel.
What are the pros/cons of walking to work and around Manitou?
I enjoy when exercise can be part of my daily routine as opposed to a separate activity. Walking to work gives me a chance to get that exercise while getting some fresh air, enjoying nature, and our lovely town. Running into a neighbor or friend on the walk is always a nice bonus. My wife and I have also walked into town on the weekends to have some lunch which has been great.
While Manitou Springs does a better job than most of maintaining pedestrian infrastructure, there are still gaps, which can lead to some portions of the walk feeling unsafe. Particularly in the Crystal Hills neighborhood where there are few sidewalks to be found and pedestrians are relegated to a slim shoulder. A car passing within arms reach, even going 20 mph (and often faster), is quite unnerving.
What infrastructure and/or aesthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking to work and rolling experiences in Manitou?
Continuing to improve the pedestrian/cycling infrastructure is always welcome. The designated crossing points along Manitou Avenue are appreciated. Some of the sidewalks need some maintenance and repair.
I enjoy when exercise can be part of my daily routine. - Ben Rasmusen
This isn't unique to Manitou Springs, but non-motorist infrastructure always feels like an afterthought and then crammed into what was already optimized for motorists. It would be amazing to see a multi-modal first approach to any infrastructure changes around town. I look for any opportunity to put as much distance between me and the noise, exhaust, and danger of cars when I'm walking. The trails that parallel Manitou Avenue allow pedestrians to do that, but they are a bit disjointed and some are in need of maintenance. What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time?
It can be helpful to explore using multiple methods of transportation so that one can focus on the goal of having a pleasant experience with active transportation. This might mean driving a short distance nearer to a trail, riding a bike halfway into town and then walking, or taking a short bus ride closer to town. These can all be ways of getting to your destination more efficiently, but leaving some distance for a pleasant walk.
What do you think would increase more active transportation (walking, rolling, and using buses/transit) in Manitou?
Making those activities feel safe would be my number one priority. This would mean more than just bike gutters and narrow shoulders for cyclists and keeping pedestrians protected and separate from motorists. Continuing to improve and extend the trails that aren't immediately adjacent to roads and adding sidewalks where possible is a great start.
What other form(s) of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like? Please tell us about your e-bike experiences and if you were able to utilize an e-bike voucher to make your e-bike purchase?
We recently acquired some e-bikes which we are hoping to use a lot this summer. Once the tourist season kicks off in earnest it becomes increasingly difficult to drive into town, which we'd prefer not to do anyway. So having an efficient way to get into town that doesn't involve a car is exciting. Unfortunately, we were not aware of the Colorado State voucher when we purchased our bikes. [The Colorado State E-Bike voucher program is now permanently closed. -ed]
