Author Archives: Barb Chamberlain

Barb joined Washington Bikes as executive director Aug. 1, 2012, and led its merger with Cascade Bicycle Club that became official Jan. 1, 2016. She serves both organizations as Chief Strategic Officer. Her bike advocacy work started in Spokane thanks to WA Bikes (then called the Bicycle Alliance of Washington), which served as the initial inspiration and fiscal home for Bike to Work Spokane, founded by Barb in late 2007. She has served on a variety of boards and committees in transportation, public policy, and health, and directed external relations at WSU Spokane for 14-1/2 years before coming to WA Bikes. She served 4 years in the Idaho state legislature, the youngest woman ever elected to the House and then the Senate. Barb's personal bike blog can be found at bikestylespokane.com and she created the worldwide list womenbikeblogs.com (@womenbikeblogs on Twitter). Bikes: - "Sweetie": A Specialized Dolce from Wheel Sport Central in Spokane, which her husband Eric Abbott gave her when they were first dating. - The "Mary Poppins" bike: A Specialized Globe Daily 2 she likes for its upright posture and step-through design, purchased from Gregg's Cycle in Greenlake and modified by Bothell Ski and Bike to have a triple crank for Seattle hills. - "Tessa" (short for Tessaract): A Giant Expressway 2 folding bike she purchased at the WA Bikes Annual Gala/auction. Barb and Eric have four children: Kate and Laura Chamberlain and Connor and Cailey Abbott.

Washington’s Great Outdoors: Task Force Meeting June 10 in Spokane

What do you think? How can we help activate Washington’s innovative outdoor gear and clothing […]

Posted in Accessibility, Advocacy, Family biking, Funding/Policy, Health, Legislature, Rural, Tourism, Trails, Travel | Comments Off on Washington’s Great Outdoors: Task Force Meeting June 10 in Spokane

Enumclaw Bicycling: Racing and Pie

“What you see is all we have. We’re just about wiped out.” Not what you […]

Posted in Enumclaw, News, Racing, Travel | 2 Comments

10 Fun Things To Do by Bike in Spokane this Summer

1) Ride the new north bank section of the Spokane River Centennial Trail  This newly […]

Posted in Adventure, Bike Clubs, Bike Culture, Events, News | 2 Comments

Ride of Silence is Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow if you see a line of bicyclists riding slowly in silence wearing black armbands, […]

Posted in Advocacy, Attitudes, Events, News, Safety | Comments Off on Ride of Silence is Tomorrow Night

Bike to Work Week, Bike to Everywhere: Olympia

For me, Bike to Work Week 2014 started off in Spokane for the annual Kickoff […]

Posted in Bike to Work, Events, News, Thurston County | 3 Comments

Bike to Work Week, Bike to Everywhere: Spokane

Around Washington, Bike to Work Week takes on a different spin (ouch! bike pun!) in […]

Posted in Bike to Work, Events, News, Spokane County | 1 Comment

Reviews Are Coming In: Great Bike Travel Book to Help You Plan Your Washington State Bike Touring

If you’re planning a bike touring vacation in Washington state you need this book: the […]

Posted in Adventure, Family biking, News, Tourism, Travel | 1 Comment

Washington State Is America’s #1 Bicycle Friendly State 7th Year in a Row

Bicyclists of Washington, when someone asks you where you’re from, the answer is, “The #1 […]

Posted in Advocacy, Alert, Education, Encouragement, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Legislature, News, Safety, Tourism, Travel, USBRS | 4 Comments

30 Days of Biking, Day 30: Happy!

I’ll say it: I’m not tired of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.   We’ve been riding […]

Posted in Advocacy, Attitudes, Events, News, Travel | 1 Comment

30 Days of Biking, Day 29: Sun!

Oh my gosh, SO beautiful riding to work this morning! Today gifted me with one […]

Posted in Attitudes, Seattle, Weather | Comments Off on 30 Days of Biking, Day 29: Sun!