Meet the staff of Healthy Ride! We’d like to show you the faces of the team that keeps Pittsburgh’s bike share rolling.

1. What is your role at Healthy Ride? When did you start working with Healthy Ride?

I’m the Director of Marketing & Community Outreach. I’ve been at Healthy Ride since March 2015, just before the system launched on May 31st that year.

2. When did you learn how to ride a bike? Who taught you?

I learned to ride a bike when I was 5 years old in my grandparents’ backyard on a little blue Schwinn, lovingly named Blueberry. Teaching me to ride was certainly a team effort, but when I think about riding as a kid, I think of my Gram who would always ride around with me. She also rode a blue Schwinn with a BIG wicker basket on the front, an old school bike bell with a bunny on it, 3 gears, and coaster brakes. I’m fortunate to get to ride her Schwinn as an adult – it’s my favorite bike.

3. What kind of riding do you like to do?

I’m primarily a commuter. I use bikes to get around. Bike commuting is good for the body, great for the environment, joyful for the soul, and the most affordable mode of transportation. Though, I’m always down for a cruise by the river or a social ride with friends.

4. What’s your favorite trip to make by Healthy Ride?

Downtown! Have to bike Downtown several times a week for meetings, and it’s always a fun ride. It’s connected by bike lanes, trails, and bridges – three of my favorite places to ride. Plus, it’s flat, and I refuse to pay for parking or to stress about bus schedules. It’s an easy 15-minute ride that helps me keep money in my pocket, and arrive at meetings and events feeling refreshed.

5. What does a typical day at Healthy Ride look like for you?

There’s never a typical day at Healthy Ride! The best part of my job is that there’s always something new and I’m rarely stuck to my desk. We’re always trying new things, building relationships with new partners and organizations, writing new grants, connecting with new neighborhoods and communities, working with artists to paint one-of-a-kind art bikes, organizing bike rides, planning and attending events, and working on new projects. Oh, and I get to take bike rides for my job! Group rides are definitely my favorite part.

6. Most memorable / fun / interesting thing you did or saw while on a Healthy Ride?

This is a tough one. Lotta memories coming up here. As a rider, one of my favorite moments was riding a Healthy Ride through the Armstrong Tunnel during Open Streets. It’s so fun to have the opportunity to bike in places you normally don’t get to experience on a regular ride. Open Streets gives riders the unique opportunity to safely ride in some really cool places – the West End Bridge was pretty fun too!

In response to COVID-19

How are you staying active during your self-quarantine?

I’m fortunate to be able to work from home right now, so I am taking long walks with my dog Apollo everyday, and I’m doing some long-overdue projects in my yard and garden; it feels really good to be outside whenever possible. Oh, and I’m also doing virtual workouts with my gym, the Pittsburgh Fitness Project. I have to make sure I can still bike up Stanton at the end of this!