(photo courtesy of Timberley Jones)
Meet Timberley Jones. She’s the coolest person out there on bike and one of the warmest, most welcoming ambassadors of bike riding I know. I first met Timberley when she was the community and marketing manager of Atlanta’s Relay Bikeshare back in that program’s exciting early years. She told me:
“I always like being out and about, and I took a lot of pride and joy in setting up Relay and getting people on bikes. I’d do social media, lead rides, connect with businesses, and create pop-ups at MARTA stations. I liked the flexibility and not being micromanaged, but ultimately it wasn’t my brand and I wanted to develop that.”
Specifically interested in helping bike businesses connect more authentically with wider markets, Timberley created a company named Spokes Digital Media. In its early days, she sold ads displayed as moving billboards on her bike as she nonchalantly whipped around Atlanta (often in brightly-colored outfits including skirts), and consulted with businesses about how to make their social media more impactful. I used to run in to her often, such as the time we were both hopping on the train with our bikes (photo below).
Following a 700-mile solo, self-supported bike journey from Atlanta to Virginia Beach a couple of years ago, sandwiched by being hit by motor vehicle drivers two separate times, Timberley is currently growing her company by showcasing influencers that actively promote a healthy, sustainable, and fun lifestyle through shared bicycle content. You can follow Spokes Digital Media on Instagram here. As Timberley explained:
“There are a lot of people going to meetings to talk about creating safe spaces, which is necessary. I feel I am more helpful trying to influence a culture and mindset shift in how society views bike riding in order to retain and encourage riders.”
As a new mom, Timberley is currently circling close to home right now so she’s available when her breastfeeding daughter needs her, but she’s already researching her next move. Timberley is eyeing a bike trailer or cargo bike so that she can take her daughter along with her where she likes to be best. Out and about.
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Tap in every day in August for my “You Go, Girl” series showcasing 31 Women in 31 Days who are making it more welcoming to ride bikes in the USA. If interested, you may enjoy my book, Traveling at the Speed of Bike. All proceeds from the sale of my book help more women and girls ride bikes.
The complete series:
10. Meet Irene Lutts
14. Meet Jenn Dice
17 -26. Meet 10 Women Who Wrote Bike Books I Love
28. Meet Megan Ramey
30. Meet Aly Niklas