Voi launches Gender Equity Commission to close e-scooter rider equity gap

Credit: Voi Technology

Voi Technology has announced the launch of a Gender Equity Commission, in partnership with UK non-profit organisation Women in Transport, to help to close the gender equity gap in e-scooter usage. Along with public affairs agency, JFG Communications, the micro-mobility operator has initiated a series of five focus groups into the gender imbalance in shared e-scooter usage.

In response to these focus groups, Voi has conducted further research via questionnaires and received over 600 respondents. The new Gender Equity Commission will meet in March 2022 to provide recommendations based on the research, with a view to publishing the findings and feedback by the end of May 2022.

This new research and collaboration with Women in Transport and JFG Communications will support Voi in being both proactive and reactive when it comes to inclusivity, and will allow others in the transport sector to take the necessary steps to address any existing challenges around a gender gap in e-scooter usage. In the most recent survey of Voi riders, only one in three identified as female – in line with other transport modes, such as bikes.

All focus group participants and questionnaire respondents were informed that the purpose of their contributions was:

• To explore the attitudes of women towards shared e-scooters
• To gain the perspectives of women who use shared e-scooters, as well as those who do not
• To hear their views on how to make shared e-scooter usage more equal across genders.

In order to fully interpret the research and advise further, Voi has invited a group of female experts from influential organisations such as the International Transport Forum (ITF), C40 Cities, Open Inclusion and Women in Mobility, with the Commission being chaired by Sonya Byers, CEO of Women in Transport.

The Commission’s conclusions will then be used to offer a clear direction and recommendations to industry and policy makers about achieving more equitable mobility. In particular, the Commission will offer recommendations related to:

• Accessibility – equitable access to shared e-scooter services
• Capability – equitable capability to use the service
• Mobility justice – equitable ability to shape the service.

Sonya Byers, Commission Chair and CEO of Women in Transport, said: “It is vital that we act quickly to understand the emerging gender gap in shared e-scooter use and hear from women directly. I’m delighted to be chairing the Commission, drawing on the depth and breadth of women’s expertise in the sector to review this novel research and develop credible policy recommendations.”