When long-time friend of Fanatik Tammy Bennet, the Bellingham YMCA's Director of Healthy Living, approached us about helping source a Triobike passenger tricycle from the Danish company, we said "of course!"

Tammy testing out the newly un-boxed Triobike!

Tammy has helped serve in-need communities in Bellingham for a very long time. I met her when I worked at a local non-profit and was establishing a program to publicize state funded Medicare education. I got in contact with her about giving a quick talk to the YMCA's Active Older Adults activity classes. She said "sure, come on by at 10am. We've got a group fitness class, you can start with them and we can chat about how to move forward!"

I showed up at 10, and not only was she there to greet me, Tammy was also leading the exercise class! A larger-than-life figure, Tammy is constantly on the lookout for ways to help people in all walks of life. After first learning about Triobike's mobility tricycles, ideas started pouring in for different applications. Taking both kids and adults with limited and reduced mobility out on bike rides on the beautiful Bellingham waterfront, coordinating with other non-profits like the Max Higbee Center, and getting YMCA members involved with volunteerism were all viable and needed outlets.

Tammy Bennett and Mary Latta take members of the local non-profit Max Higbee Center out for a ride on a beautiful fall day.

Both the Mount Baker Bicycle Club and Bellingham's Sanitary Service Company joined us in chipping in to order the electric assist Triobike, which can fit two adult passengers or three children, and already has a full schedule being driven around by YMCA employees and volunteers, taking Bellingham residents that wouldn't otherwise be able out and about on these long summer days.

If you'd like to get more information about the Tribike and the programs it supports, feel free to contact Tammy Bennett at the Bellingham YMCA. She can be reached via email at tbennett@whatcomymca.org.