Dr. Naomi Lin
Jenna Phillips, known as “Jenna Bikes” on TikTok, is using her platform to encourage people of all sizes to embrace biking as a mode of transportation. Despite the cold and drizzly weather, Phillips, a lead software engineer and a TikTok influencer in Portland, is not afraid to hop on her bike and ride along the Columbia River.
With nearly 34,500 followers and millions of likes on TikTok, Phillips has become a niche influencer, inspiring young women in Portland to engage in active lifestyles. Her goal is not simply to make money but to prove that anyone can enjoy biking and that appearances should not be a barrier to entry.
To illustrate her point, Phillips met with a journalist at Broughton Beach for a bike ride along the north edge of the city. Despite being well into her second trimester, she continues to bike to work, run errands, and even participate in long-distance rides like the Seattle to Portland ride.
Through her TikTok account, Phillips documents her biking adventures and outfits, offering a glimpse into her daily life. And while she has received comments about her size and criticism for using an e-bike, Phillips finds solace in the positive and supportive community she has cultivated on TikTok.
Representation is crucial to Phillips, as she aims to create a space where individuals of all sizes feel welcomed and encouraged to embrace biking. By showcasing her own experiences and outfits on TikTok, she is dismantling the stereotypes associated with biking and proving that it can be a fun and accessible sport.
As we concluded our ride, Phillips shared a heartening experience from the Seattle to Portland ride. Among the three women who recognized her, one of them looked just like her. This moment reinforced the power of representation and further fueled Phillips’ advocacy on TikTok.
Through her inspiring journey, Jenna Phillips is breaking barriers and showing that biking is for everyone, regardless of size or appearance. Her TikTok platform is not just a space for documenting biking adventures but a catalyst for change and inclusivity in the biking community.
FAQ Section:
1. Who is Jenna Phillips?
Jenna Phillips, also known as “Jenna Bikes” on TikTok, is a lead software engineer and a TikTok influencer based in Portland. She uses her platform to encourage people of all sizes to embrace biking as a mode of transportation.
2. What is Jenna Phillips’ goal?
Jenna Phillips’ goal is to prove that anyone can enjoy biking and that appearances should not be a barrier to entry. She wants to create a space where individuals of all sizes feel welcomed and encouraged to embrace biking.
3. How does Jenna Phillips use TikTok?
Jenna Phillips uses her TikTok account to document her biking adventures and outfits. She shares videos and glimpses into her daily life, inspiring others to engage in active lifestyles.
4. What challenges has Jenna Phillips faced?
Jenna Phillips has faced comments about her size and criticism for using an e-bike. However, she finds solace in the positive and supportive community she has cultivated on TikTok.
5. What is the significance of representation to Jenna Phillips?
Representation is crucial to Jenna Phillips as she aims to create an inclusive space where individuals of all sizes feel welcomed and encouraged to embrace biking. She wants to dismantle the stereotypes associated with biking and prove that it can be a fun and accessible sport.
Key Terms/Jargon:
1. TikTok: TikTok is a social media platform for creating and sharing short videos. Jenna Phillips is an influencer on TikTok.
2. Niche Influencer: A niche influencer is an individual who has a focused and dedicated following within a specific interest or topic. Jenna Phillips has become a niche influencer inspiring young women in Portland to engage in biking.
3. E-bike: An e-bike, or electric bike, is a bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor to assist with propulsion. Jenna Phillips has faced criticism for using an e-bike.
Suggested Related Links:
1. TikTok – Official TikTok website where users can create and share short videos.
2. Portland Bikes – Official website of the City of Portland’s biking program, providing information and resources for biking in Portland.
3. Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic – Official website of the annual Seattle to Portland ride, a long-distance bike ride that Jenna Phillips has participated in.
