Community Service Spotlight
by Mackenzie Lynch
Formed in Bellingham, Wash., Shifting Gears is transforming the landscape of outdoor recreation for women and femme-identifying individuals. With a mission centered on fostering community, confidence, and empowerment, Shifting Gears addresses the significant gender disparities that persist in outdoor activities. As participation in outdoor recreation continues to rise, studies reveal that women are more likely to engage in these activities when surrounded by other women. Unfortunately, despite this trend, women remain underrepresented in many outdoor spaces.
Story of Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears was founded in 2017 during a bike packing trip by a group of passionate outdoor enthusiasts. The group was a mix of experienced bike packers and their friends, many of whom had never been on a similar excursion. During the trip, the group shared personal experiences of feeling intimidated or unwelcome in traditional outdoor environments, where male dominance often overshadowed female participation. They also shared how supported they felt in the current environment, where the group was encouraging the newcomers to reach goals without pushing boundaries. These conversations sparked the desire to create a similar space where women in Bellingham and beyond could explore the outdoors without judgment, fear, or competition.
From its inception, Shifting Gears has aimed to break down barriers and provide opportunities for women to connect with nature and one another. The organization quickly gained traction, drawing in women of all ages and backgrounds who were eager to experience the joy and freedom that outdoor recreation can offer.

photo: Sidra Matthias
Group bike ride through Whatcom Falls Park.
Over the past seven years, Shifting Gears has grown to provide cycling programs of all disciplines (road, mountain, gravel and bike packing), hiking, backpacking, kayaking and backcountry excursions, as well as outdoor educational programs. Through these programs, they serve over 400 participants annually, and have a board of eight members.
Mission and Vision
Shifting Gears operates with a clear mission: to empower all women through outdoor recreation and education opportunities to remove barriers and foster belonging. The organization envisions a world where women feel confident and competent in outdoor settings, leading to increased participation and representation in these spaces.
Research indicates that women are more likely to engage in outdoor recreation when they can do so with other women. According to a study published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, women who participate in outdoor activities with female companions report higher levels of enjoyment and satisfaction. This finding underscores the importance of Shifting Gears’ mission, as it seeks to create an inclusive environment that encourages women to step outside their comfort zones.
Gender Gap in Outdoor Recreation
Despite the growing interest in outdoor activities, women remain significantly underrepresented in many facets of outdoor recreation. A 2021 report by the Outdoor Industry Association revealed that only 43 percent of outdoor participants are women, despite women making up approximately half of the U.S. population. Furthermore, women of color and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face even greater challenges in accessing outdoor spaces.
Barriers such as safety concerns, lack of representation, and limited access to resources often deter women from participating fully in outdoor activities. Shifting Gears aims to address these obstacles by providing a supportive community and resources tailored to women’s needs.

Backpacking
Programs and Events
Shifting Gears offers a diverse array of programs and events designed to engage women in outdoor activities while fostering personal growth and community connections. Some of these include:
1. Outdoor Programs
From March through October, Shifting Gears offers a variety of weekly and monthly outdoor excursions led by experienced and certified guides. These include mountain biking, road cycling, hiking, backpacking and bike packing, rock climbing (with support from Vital Gym), and sea kayaking (with support from the Community Boating Center). Required skill levels range for each type of program, and these are clearly communicated so participants can be confident they’re joining a program that is appropriate for their experience. Participants learn essential skills in a low pressure environment, guided by experienced female instructors who understand the unique challenges women may face in outdoor settings. Most programs are free, with higher value programs like multi-day backpacking charged based on income level.
2. Educational Workshops
Throughout the year, Shifting Gears partners with local outdoor education experts to provide valuable skills, in order to further empower participants. These have included backcountry education in partnership with Grounding Truth and Cascade Mountain Ascents, Wilderness First Aid with Backcountry Medical Guides, and Bike Repair Clinics. These workshops are designed to increase confidence and provide priceless safety skills for recreating in the outdoors, while also increasing community between the participants. Many participants in these programs have shared they found their new touring or backpacking partner in these workshops. Costs are based on income and scholarships are offered to those who would benefit.
3. Community Events
To engage the community even further, Shifting Gears hosts events throughout the year. Its largest is the Bellingham Bike Swap, historically held at Boundary Bay Brewery. The Bike Swap allows the community to purchase pre-owned bikes or gear at a lower cost, enabling the community further to experience the joys and benefits of biking. The Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and simply share in the greatness of the Bellingham outdoor community.
Every March, in honor of International Women’s Day, Shift Gears hosts Wild Women Week, which has grown into a 10-day festival. Each day, with support from countless community partners, activities are provided that appeal to a huge range of interests like acroyoga, paddle boarding, bowling and sexual health workshops. These activities are generally free and are designed to encourage women and femmes of all backgrounds and interests to celebrate International Women’s Day together.
Other community events include Sippin’ on Cider, a cider festival held every October at Lost Giants Cider Co. where cideries from all over the Pacific Northwest come to provide cider tastings under one roof, and the Shifting Gears Holiday Auction, in participation with 80-plus businesses.
Finally, in partnership with local breweries like Stone’s Throw, Structures, Gruff and Kulshan Brewing, Shifting Gears hosts film and game nights, in order to provide opportunities for the Shifting Gears community to socialize and create even stronger ties.

Biking by the Bay
Impact and Testimonials
The impact of Shifting Gears is evident through the stories of the women who have participated in its programs. Many attendees report transformative experiences, gaining not only outdoor skills but also increased self-esteem and a stronger sense of community. Many of these participants have shared that, before learning about Shifting Gears, they were interested in starting a new sport, but had no idea where to begin. Shifting Gears provided them the opportunity to learn in a safe and encouraging environment.
One participant, Grace, said “Bike packing is one of those things I had always been curious about, but had no idea how to make it happen. I don’t have that many friends that ride bikes, and getting into the scene can be a little daunting. This bike packing trip provided me with support, guidance, encouragement, new skills and knowledge about bikes, so many giggles, and a hell of a good time.”
Said another participant “I learned, I was challenged, I was empowered! I found a new hobby, and had a fantastically wild time exploring, bonding, laughing and adventuring.”
Looking Ahead
As Shifting Gears continues to grow, the organization remains committed to its mission of empowering women and femmes through outdoor recreation. Beginning January 1, Shifting Gears will be welcoming a new Executive Director who holds invaluable experience in growing community spaces in the outdoors. With her expertise, Shifting Gears plans to expand its reach and offer more diverse, year-round programs, and to inspire even more women from all backgrounds to step into the outdoors and embrace their potential.
In a world where women are still fighting for representation and equality in many aspects of life, Shifting Gears stands as a community-led beacon of hope and empowerment. By fostering a network of support and encouragement, the organization is helping to reshape the narrative around women in outdoor spaces, ensuring that all women feel safe, heard, and valued, and have a darn good time doing it.
________________________________
Mackenzie Lynch is the board vice president of Shifting Gears and an active outdoors enthusiast. She joined the board in 2024 to give back to the community of Bellingham that gave her a love for the outdoors. It’s her dream that one day Shifting Gears will offer scuba diving in the chilly Salish Sea.