Kristin Gavin moved to Philadelphia to pursue a Master’s degree in exercise and sport psychology at Temple University in 2007. As part of her coursework, Kristin developed a business plan to make bicycling accessible to individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction.  In tandem with earning her degree, Kristin founded Gearing Up, a nonprofit organization designed to engage women with histories of abuse, addiction and incarceration in bicycling as a means of establishing a long-term habit to promote physical, emotional and social health. Over the past 7 years, Gearing Up has brought bicycling and indoor cycling programs to women’s facilities, including the women’s prison, throughout Philadelphia, creating opportunities for more than 1,000 women to ride a bike.

Over the past decade, Kristin has engaged in bicycle advocacy work as a Research Fellow with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and as a Project Coordinator for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and is currently is a Philadelphia Cycling Advisory Board member. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, Kristin spent several years working as a tour guide for Bicycle Adventures, a multi-sport adventure tourism company, as well as enjoying her own self-guided bicycle tours through Vietnam and Cuba. 

“Passion and talent –it’s what drives the city’s bikeshare staff and what Kristin brings to Bicycle Transit Systems in her new role of General Manager. Her commitment to bringing bicycling to everyone was evident in her work at Gearing Up, and we see great things in the future for Indego,” said Denise Goren, Director, Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities.

“I am thrilled to be tasked with leading an amazing team to ensure Indego is a fun, accessible and reliable bike share system for Philadelphia,” said Gavin.

“Indego launch day felt like Christmas morning, and not just because I am a passholder and frequent pedaler! I love Indego because it is committed to making bicycling accessible to all Philadelphians.  If there is anything I have learned from my own time spent in the saddle over the past 10 years, it is that bicycle riding make the world a smaller place, where people are more connected to their communities – and that’s a perfect fit for Philly.”