Seattle Mother Anne Phyfe Palmer

Anne Phyfe Palmer is a 42-year-old wife and mother of two daughters, aged six and 11, living in the Madison Valley neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

She founded the 8 Limbs Yoga Center, part of whose mission is to provide accessible yoga that serves people in their own neighborhoods. In about 2004 she bought a used Raleigh for $300 and later invested in a mini Burley to pull her toddler around in. Her husband rides an electric Stromer to work. Palmer loves how riding a bike keeps her strong and her heart healthy.

Q: How do you use your bike in your daily life?

I live in Madison Valley and haul myself to Capitol Hill to work three to five days per week. I sometimes use my bike to get groceries and bring my youngest child on a Tag-a-Long to swimming or the park. We take family bike trips on flatter routes like the Burke-Gilman Trail or to Bicycle Days at Seward Park.

Q: How has your bike transformed your lifestyle?

I am beyond thrilled to not be driving most days. I really dislike using gas, and get pretty proud when I am able to eschew the car to walk or bike. Bicycling is much faster than walking, of course, so it fits my busy life, especially since I also get exercise at the same time. Now my yoga practice is primarily for relaxation and meditation purposes, rather than for filling my fitness needs.

Q: What bikes and bike gear could you not live without?

I am pretty low-maintenance on the gear, but I love my polka-dot Nutcase helmet. It’s comfortable, keeps my head safe and makes people smile. I finally switched from a backpack to the Ortlieb briefcase pannier, and my back is way happier.