Kristen and Katie first discovered Working Bikes in 2020, when Katie bought her very first bike from the shop — a sturdy hybrid that carried her all over Chicago during the early months of Covid. When she moved to San Francisco in 2022, the bike went with her, becoming part of her new life there.

Since that first experience, Kristen and her family have become enthusiastic supporters, sending countless friends who need bikes to Working Bikes.

Kristen’s love of biking began when she was a child, and she passed that joy on to her own kids. For her family, biking wasn’t just a way to get to school, soccer practice, or a friend’s house — it was a shared hobby, a sport, and a piece of their everyday life.

In 2023, her family completed a triathlon in her memory, a tribute to the many she proudly finished throughout her life. Katie still rides her mom’s road bike from the 90s, taking it everywhere. She knows Kristen would be thrilled to see it still flying down roads, doing exactly what Kristen loved most..

Kristen and Katie biked everywhere together — through Chicago neighborhoods, along the East Coast, and later across Northern California after Katie moved west. The summer before Kristen passed, the two of them spent a long weekend riding through the Netherlands, hopping on and off trains with their bikes so they could explore new cities on two wheels.

Katie thinks of her mom every time she rides. She remembers Kristen’s way of savoring the fresh air, the scenery, and the simple joy of moving under your own power. Each ride feels like a small continuation of the adventures they shared.

About Working Bikes:
Since 1999, the incredible community of Working Bikes volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters has given new life to 150,000 bicycles worldwide — including tens of thousands right here in Chicago. More than 100,000 people have gained access to opportunities that once felt out of reach, all while reducing waste, cutting pollution, and improving health in their communities.

Kristen Huber's Fundraiser

In Memory of Kristen Huber

Team Members