As we celebrate Family Fun Month, it’s an ideal opportunity to explore shared mobility services designed for families of all sizes and ages. This requires a careful focus on inclusive design principles to ensure these services are accessible, safe, and user-friendly for everyone, from young children to grandparents.
However, design bias often overlooks specific groups, such as the elderly or single-parent families. It’s crucial to address these gaps to create truly inclusive transportation options. Globally, women make up a significant proportion of public transport users. For example, in Europe, women account for nearly 55% of public transit users and in the U.S. the number is closer to 60%.
Studies have shown that a large portion of these trips involve caregiving activities, such as taking children to school, shopping for groceries, or accompanying elderly family members. In the UK, research indicates that women are more likely than men to travel with children or elderly dependents and are more likely to use shared transportation for these trips.
Now, imagine being the primary caregiver in a low-income family, where budgeting for child care is challenging and owning a car isn’t feasible. Your day is filled with running errands, attending appointments, and managing daily tasks—all while caring for young children. Navigating the city can be overwhelming, especially when public transportation or shared mobility services aren’t designed with your needs in mind.
Picture trying to board a crowded bus with a stroller, only to find that there’s no space or the bus is not equipped for easy access. Or, you might need to use a shared mobility service, but the vehicle lacks the necessary child seats or cargo space for your groceries and other essentials. Even something as simple as finding a convenient route can become a significant challenge when the transportation options available don’t consider the unique needs of families like yours.
This blog post will highlight the key principles of designing family-friendly shared mobility services and showcase successful examples from around the world.
6 Must-Know Design Principles for Creating Family-Friendly Shared Mobility Services
1. Co-Creation & User Engagement
Understanding the unique needs of your users is crucial when creating shared mobility solutions that really work for everyone. It all starts with connecting with your users—including families—and other key stakeholders to gather their insights and feedback. By bringing these perspectives into the design and implementation process, you can create shared mobility services that are not only more inclusive but also more effective for everyone involved.
Successful family-friendly shared mobility services rely on co-creation and continuous user engagement. This means organizing activities and workshops where parents, caregivers, and children can actively participate in shaping the design process, ensuring their specific needs and preferences are reflected in the final offerings.
For instance, in Ghent, Belgium, the development of the family-friendly Trivélo service was guided by a series of workshops organized by De Fietsambassade. Local families were invited to interactive discussions and practical demonstrations, where parents could test bikes and suggest features like child seats, adjustable handlebars, and cargo space. This direct input resulted in family-specific modifications, making the service more attractive and practical for families.
Similarly, Gogoro in Taiwan implemented a “Family Plan” for their electric scooters after multiple user engagement sessions with families. Parents expressed concerns about safety and comfort for their children, leading Gogoro to introduce accessories like child seats and helmets designed for young riders. They also created family-friendly tutorials and safety guidelines, enhancing both safety and appeal. This co-creation effort significantly increased their customer base by making the service more family-oriented.
2. Adapted Vehicles & Services
Offering a range of vehicles and services designed with families in mind is key in the world of shared mobility. Whether it’s cars with child seats, accessible vans, or electric scooters with adjustable seats, it’s all about giving families the flexibility to choose what works best for them. Offering these options make it easier for families to find the right fit for their needs, whether they’re running errands or heading out on an adventure.
For example, Car Next Door (now Uber Carshare) has recognized the importance of catering to families by expanding their fleet to include various family-friendly vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with essential features such as child seats and ample storage space, making them ideal for family outings. The service also offers flexible rental periods, allowing families to rent cars for short trips or extended vacations. This focus on family needs has significantly boosted Car Next Door’s popularity among families, with family trips now accounting for 40% of their rentals.
In Switzerland, Mobility offers a comprehensive range of vehicles that cater to family needs. Their fleet includes minivans and SUVs equipped with child seats and additional storage space. These vehicles are strategically placed in locations with high family traffic, such as near schools, parks, and residential areas. Mobility’s user-friendly app allows families to easily find and book these family-friendly vehicles, resulting in higher utilization rates, especially during weekends and school holidays.
Source: https://www.mobility.ch/en/magazine/sustainability/why-car-sharing-is-makes-sense
Nextbike, a popular bike-sharing service in Germany, has gone the extra mile to cater to families. They offer bikes equipped with child seats, allowing parents to safely travel with young children. Nextbike also introduced cargo bikes in several cities, providing ample space for carrying children, groceries, or other essentials. The service is designed with convenience in mind, with stations located near family-friendly destinations like playgrounds and shopping centers. Nextbike’s focus on meeting the specific needs of families has helped them build a loyal customer base among parents and caregivers.
3. Safety & Convenience
Safety should always come first, especially when it comes to shared mobility services for families. That means making sure vehicles are well-maintained and equipped with child-friendly accessories that parents can trust. But it’s not just about safety—these services should also be easy and convenient for families to use. When done right, they can offer a real alternative to owning a private vehicle, making life just a little bit simpler for busy families.
Voi, a leading e-scooter company in Sweden, has taken significant steps to make their services safer and more family-friendly. They offer scooters with adjustable speed settings and enhanced stability, making them ideal for parents riding with children. Voi also provides child-sized helmets as part of their rental packages and has implemented rigorous maintenance protocols to ensure rider safety. The company’s user-friendly app allows families to easily locate and book scooters near parks, schools, and other family-oriented locations.
Source: https://www.eu-startups.com/2019/05/swedish-e-scooter-startup-voi-reveals-plans-to-expand-across-150-cities-introduces-new-safer-models/
GoGoGrandparent, a demand-responsive transport service in the United States, is specifically designed to meet the needs of elderly individuals. Unlike traditional ride-hailing services, GoGoGrandparent operates through a phone-based system, which is more accessible for seniors who may not be comfortable using smartphones or apps. The service allows seniors to book rides with a simple phone call and offers additional features that enhance safety and convenience. For example, GoGoGrandparent monitors rides in real-time, notifying family members or caregivers when the ride is on its way, when the passenger is picked up, and when they’ve arrived at their destination. This level of monitoring provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind for both riders and their loved ones.
4. Digital Solutions
Making shared mobility services more accessible and convenient for families really comes down to smart digital solutions. Think about how much easier life is when you have real-time information at your fingertips—whether it’s knowing that a vehicle with a child seat is available nearby or being able to see which options are most accessible for your needs. These tools, like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms or specialized apps, are designed to take the guesswork out of planning trips. They help families navigate their day with a lot less stress, making every journey smoother and more enjoyable.
BlaBlaCar, a leading carpooling platform in France, has adapted its service to better serve families. They offer a “family-friendly” filter that allows users to find carpool options with drivers who are open to traveling with children. BlaBlaCar has also introduced a feature that enables drivers to indicate if they have child seats available. This added layer of convenience and safety has made BlaBlaCar an attractive option for families who need to travel longer distances without the hassle of owning a car. The platform’s community-driven approach, combined with these family-friendly features, has fostered a supportive environment for families on the move.
Source: https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/enhancing-the-carpooling-experience-a-ui-ux-case-study-443cc7a14e6d
UbiGo in Sweden is a MaaS platform that combines various modes of transportation, including public transit, car-sharing, bike-sharing, and taxi services, into one subscription-based service. Although not exclusively for families, UbiGo places a strong emphasis on providing options that cater to the needs of households, including families with children.
Through the UbiGo app, users can plan, book, and pay for a variety of transport options tailored to their needs. The platform includes features that make it easy for families to choose vehicles with child seats, or to find public transport routes that are stroller-friendly. UbiGo also offers flexible subscription plans that can be shared among family members, making it easier for everyone in the household to access transportation without the need for multiple accounts or payment methods.
5. Supporting Volunteering Schemes
Bringing volunteer services into the shared mobility world can make a huge difference, especially for families with unique needs or those facing mobility challenges. Programs like “Cycling Without Age” and “Trivelo” are perfect examples of how volunteers can help make shared mobility more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Take Cycling Without Age, this initiative pairs volunteers with elderly or less mobile individuals, giving them the chance to experience the joy of cycling in specially designed trishaws. Imagine the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the simple pleasure of being out in the community again—these are the experiences that volunteers provide. It’s not just about the ride; it’s about connecting generations, sharing stories, and bringing a little joy and companionship to those who might otherwise feel isolated.
Source: https://atlasofthefuture.org/es/project/cycling-without-age/
Then there’s “Trivelo,” which focuses on helping people with disabilities or specific health conditions get out and enjoy biking. Volunteers in this program don’t just lend a hand—they’re there to help set up adaptive bikes, teach riding skills, and even join in on community rides. The goal is simple: to make sure that everyone, no matter their physical abilities, can feel the freedom and fun that biking brings. For families who might feel left out of the typical biking scene, Trivelo offers a welcoming, supportive way to get everyone involved.
6. Policy & Best Practices
Sharing best practices and policy guidelines is a powerful way to help public authorities and service providers build more inclusive shared mobility systems. This process involves crafting strategic plans, laws, and recommendations, as well as offering subsidies to support the development and rollout of accessible services.
The SMALL project plays a crucial role in this effort by empowering policymakers with the tools and resources needed to create more inclusive and accessible mobility options. By focusing on shared mobility for all, the project provides valuable insights, best practices, and policy guidelines to help design services that cater to diverse user groups, including families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Vienna is a prime example of how inclusive urban planning can lead to more accessible and user-friendly environments. The city has implemented a gender mainstreaming approach in its urban planning, ensuring that the needs of women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are considered in the design of public spaces and transportation systems. Key features of this policy include wider sidewalks and well-lit pathways to improve safety for women and children, prioritization of public transport routes that cater to the daily routines of caregivers, and the design of public spaces with accessible seating and playgrounds. As a result, Vienna’s urban environment has become more welcoming and supportive, particularly for women who are often the primary caregivers.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/14/city-with-a-female-face-how-modern-vienna-was-shaped-by-women
Paris has implemented a range of inclusive transport policies aimed at making public transportation more accessible for families and the elderly. Key features of these policies include free public transport for children under 12 and senior citizens over 65, making it easier for these groups to travel affordably. Paris has also introduced “baby stations” in metro stations, which include changing tables, nursing areas, and stroller-friendly gates, as well as “calm zones” in buses and trains where noise levels are minimized, benefiting both the elderly and families with young children. These initiatives have made public transport in Paris more welcoming and accessible, encouraging greater use of the city’s extensive transport network.
Similarly, Serfaus, Austria, has implemented a car-free policy in its town center, making it one of the most family-friendly destinations in Europe. The town features an innovative underground air-cushion railway system that connects key areas, ensuring safe, convenient, and accessible transportation for families, particularly those with young children or elderly members. This thoughtful planning and dedication to inclusive transport have made Serfaus a model for family-friendly urban mobility.
Source: From Sandra’s vacation photos