Voi, an e-scooter company, is marking International Women’s Day by providing complimentary e-scooter rides to women. The aim is to encourage women to use e-scooters.
The latest survey conducted by the company in the UK showed that only 23% of riders were women. The company is interested in promoting the use of its scooters among women, as seen in other countries like Finland, where 37% of Voi’s riders are women.
The company is currently addressing the recommendations made by Women in Transport, a report commissioned by the company on gender equity. The report highlighted that women were discouraged from riding e-scooters due to the poor state of road infrastructure and the negative attitudes of drivers.
The organisation advocates for the enhancement of infrastructure, including the establishment of exclusive cycling paths and the improvement of road standards.
The company has taken into account feedback from female riders to enhance their scooters. As a result, they have made certain adjustments like modifying the layout and size of handlebars. This has been done to make it simpler for women, who generally have smaller hands, to utilize the bell, brakes, and indicators more comfortably.
According to additional research conducted by Voi, it was discovered that at night, one out of every five women feel more secure while using a scooter compared to walking.
Voi is offering new female riders a 15-minute free ride on their e-scooters or e-bikes from 4 March to 4 April, using the code WOMEN, to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March. Throughout the week beginning 4 March, videos featuring women riders will be published on Voi’s UK social media channels.
Christy Pearson, head of central policy at Voi, said:
“E-scooters are a great way to get around for anybody. We are keen to encourage women to try out our e-scooters and find out for themselves that they’re great for short journeys, whether it be as part of your commute or to meet friends.”
New riders are encouraged to complete Voi’s online scooter skills training Ride Safe Academy here and to sign up for the company’s scooter skills webinars due to start next month by searching for Eventbrite forthcoming Voi UK events.
To ride a Voi scooter, first download the app and create a Voi account by following the instructions provided. It is recommended that riders wear a helmet for safety reasons.
Voi e-scooters are available in Cambridge, Cheltenham, Corby, Gloucester, Kettering, Liverpool, London, Northampton, Oxford, Portsmouth, Rushden and Higham Ferrers, Southampton, and Wellingborough.
READ MORE: VOI LAUNCHES WORLD-FIRST E-SCOOTER TRIAL DESIGNED TO STOP PAVEMENT RIDING
