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.