October is Global Diversity Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate the different perspectives that make our world richer. It’s also a moment to think about how diversity impacts every aspect of life—including transportation. Mobility systems are essential for economic growth, climate action, and social equity, so making sure they’re accessible and inclusive is more than just important—it’s our responsibility. At movmi, we know first hand that diverse teams lead to the creation of more innovative and fair transportation solutions, ensuring everyone can reap the benefits
In this article, we’ll explore how embracing global diversity can transform the way we design and operate mobility services by looking at successful examples of shared mobility services with diverse teams and free resources available on our website.
Why Diversity Matters for Inclusive Shared Mobility Services
Examples of diverse shared mobility services and beyond
Diverse perspectives are a key driver of innovation, especially in shared mobility. When teams bring together individuals from various cultural, social, and professional backgrounds, they can better understand the wide-ranging needs of users. For example, a micromobility service designed for a busy urban area might overlook challenges unique to rural communities. However, having someone on the team with direct experience in those areas can provide critical insights that might otherwise be missed. This broader understanding helps create transportation solutions that are more inclusive and effective. The more perspectives involved, the more comprehensive and impactful the outcome.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) Public Transport System
One powerful example of diversity improving mobility services comes from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA). Their design for an inclusive public transport system—one that considers the needs of the elderly, differently-abled, and foreign workers—was created with input from a diverse team of engineers, planners, and sociologists. This collaborative effort ensures accessibility for everyone, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families. Features like barrier-free routes, lifts, and tactile guiding systems make travel easier for those with mobility or sensory impairments. Initiatives like priority seating and the “Helping Hand” lanyard provide extra support for those who need it. The system also offers Dementia-Friendly Go-To Points, creating a safe and caring environment for passengers with cognitive impairments. These efforts create a more inclusive and supportive public transport experience.
Modo Carsharing Co-op
Another example is Modo Carsharing who embraces diversity and inclusivity through its participation in Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, achieving gender parity in leadership and ensuring 30% representation from equity-seeking groups, including people of color, Indigenous individuals, 2SLGBTQ+ members, and people with disabilities. This diversity strengthens Modo’s leadership, allowing the cooperative to better understand and meet the needs of the diverse communities it serves across British Columbia. This inclusive approach not only fosters equitable governance but also enhances the effectiveness of their transportation services. Their car-sharing model is designed to provide affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation to a wide range of users, including those who may face barriers in traditional car ownership. This approach encourages greater participation from marginalized groups, ensuring that everyone has access to eco-friendly mobility solutions that serve their varied needs.
Veo Micromobility
For micromobility, a great example is Veo. Veo’s mission for diversity and inclusivity is deeply embedded in their commitment to creating accessible micromobility solutions for all, regardless of physical ability or background. They’ve designed vehicles like the Cosmo-e and Apollo Class II, aimed at meeting the needs of diverse groups, including older adults and people with disabilities. “It’s not just about creating functional vehicles, but about giving more people the freedom to move independently and confidently,” says co-founder Candice Xie.
Through a year-long accessibility study, Veo identified ways to make their services more welcoming and adaptable, improving safety and accessibility. These changes ensure that those who may have struggled with traditional standing scooters can now participate with ease and comfort. By consistently engaging with communities and listening to feedback from underrepresented groups, Veo remains at the forefront of delivering equitable, sustainable transportation options for all. Their commitment to inclusivity translates into thoughtful, user-friendly service that addresses the mobility needs of diverse populations.
Beyond Shared Mobility...
Beyond transportation, diversity has played a significant role in the development of everyday products that millions of people rely on. Here are some examples:
- Voice-Activated Assistants (like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant) were designed with input from diverse teams to accommodate different accents, dialects, and speech patterns. This inclusivity ensures that people from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds can interact with the technology effectively, making it globally accessible.
- Crayola’s “Colors of the World” Crayons were developed to represent over 40 different skin tones, giving children the opportunity to accurately draw themselves and others. This was made possible through a collaboration with makeup experts and dermatologists, ensuring the colors reflect real-world diversity. This product helps children from all backgrounds feel represented and included in creative spaces.
- Nike Pro Hijab was designed with input from Muslim female athletes to address the needs of women who wear headscarves while participating in sports. By involving a diverse group of athletes in the design process, Nike was able to create a performance hijab that is breathable, lightweight, and comfortable—something that didn’t exist before. This not only supported athletes but also created a powerful message about inclusion in sports.
These examples demonstrate how diversity in design and development leads to more thoughtful, inclusive products that benefit everyone. Just as voice-activated assistants can now understand a wider range of accents, shared mobility systems that incorporate diverse perspectives are better equipped to meet the needs of all users, from different cultural, physical, and socio-economic backgrounds. Diversity not only leads to better products but also fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion in the everyday tools we use.
Explore Our Free Resources to Build More Inclusive Shared Mobility Services
At movmi, we know that designing inclusive transportation services isn’t just about intention—it’s about having the right tools to get there. That’s why we’ve developed a range of resources to help organizations across the globe build equitable transportation systems that truly serve everyone.
Checklist: Shared Mobility That VIBES
Our VIBES whitepaper is designed to guide urban planners, city officials, and mobility operators toward building transportation systems that Value Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity. The four principles of VIBE are crucial to creating networks that work for everyone. We outline strategies for incorporating these values into everyday operations, ensuring that your mobility services reflect the needs of your entire community. This essential checklist provides a practical guide to designing and operating transportation systems that prioritize diversity and equity. From ensuring accessibility for differently-abled individuals to incorporating the needs of low-income and minority communities, this checklist helps you operationalize the values of inclusion and belonging in real-world settings.
Empowering Women in Shared Mobility (EmpowerWISM) Program
Diversity in transportation leadership is just as important as diversity in service design. Women, in particular, are underrepresented in the transportation industry, despite making up a significant portion of users. We’re committed to addressing this imbalance through our EmpowerWISM program, which provides a platform for women entrepreneurs to tackle the transportation challenges of tomorrow.
We recently checked in with a few of our past EmpowerWISM applicants to see how they’ve been progressing since their time in the program. Here’s a recap from Seline, Co-founder & COO of Blue Dot, and Laura, Venture Partner at Street Life Ventures, highlighting their incredible journeys and achievements.
Seline’s entrepreneurial journey began at an early age in Turkey, where she started her first company during college. Over the years, her ambition to tackle global challenges led her to focus on electric vehicle (EV) fleet management. Blue Dot, the company she co-founded, now helps fleets streamline their operations with a particular emphasis on EV charging logistics.
“In the early days, we saw a big gap in how EV drivers interacted with charging stations,” Seline explained. “We wanted to solve this problem not just for individual drivers but for entire fleets that are transitioning to electric vehicles.” Today, Blue Dot provides a comprehensive platform that allows fleets to optimize their charging, track vehicles, and ensure efficient operation.
Since joining the EmpowerWISM initiative, Seline’s company has made significant strides. They now have a presence in both the U.S. and Canada, with more than 80% coverage of charging stations across these regions. Blue Dot works with a wide range of clients, including rideshare companies, corporate vehicle fleets, and even government entities.
“Our work is about more than just charging—it’s about helping fleets operate smoothly as they electrify. Maintenance used to be the primary concern, but now, charging logistics and efficiency are at the heart of fleet operations,” she said.
One of Blue Dot’s major achievements was raising over $5.5 million in seed funding, securing investments from big names such as Y Combinator, Ford, Porsche’s venture arm, and Samsara Ventures. “The EmpowerWISM experience gave us great momentum, and the connections I made there helped us find strategic partners who truly understand our vision. It’s about building relationships that will support us long-term as we grow.”
Seline is determined to continue growing Blue Dot into a “generational company,” aiming to create a lasting impact on how electric fleets operate globally. Her advice to others in the industry is simple: “Fundraising isn’t just about getting money. It’s about finding the right partners who align with your vision and can help you grow.”
Laura Fox, Venture Partner, Street Life Ventures
Laura is an experienced venture partner at Street Life Ventures, a fund focused on investing in urban solutions for climate and mobility challenges. Her passion for mobility stems from her background working in public-private partnerships and leading large-scale urban mobility projects like Citi Bike in New York. Laura’s unique experience on both sides of the investor-operator table makes her a powerful advocate for change in the mobility space.
“Working in cities and climate, we focus on sectors like mobility, logistics, and energy because these areas are the biggest drivers of emissions,” Laura explained. “At Street Life Ventures, we aim to back companies that are tackling these critical issues with innovative, scalable solutions.”
One of the key challenges Laura discussed during her EmpowerWISM experience is the lack of diversity in venture capital. “Only 1.4% of venture capital goes to diverse teams, even though research consistently shows that diverse founders achieve 30% higher exits and greater multiples on investments,” she noted.
Despite these discouraging statistics, Laura is optimistic and committed to shifting the industry’s mindset. “What many investors fail to see is that investing in diverse founders isn’t charity—it’s smart business. The data shows that diverse teams create stronger, more innovative companies.” Street Life Ventures is leading by example with a commitment to investing in over 50% of their portfolio companies that are led by diverse teams.
Beyond advocating for diversity, Laura is focused on supporting female founders navigating the complex world of fundraising. She encourages entrepreneurs to “find investors who truly understand the space you’re working in, especially in shared mobility. It’s not just about securing capital; it’s about finding partners who can help you scale in a meaningful way.”
During her time at EmpowerWISM, Laura had the chance to connect with other female founders and investors, forming valuable networks that she continues to leverage in her work today. “EmpowerWISM was a powerful reminder that building a supportive community is essential for driving long-term success, especially for women in male-dominated industries.”
Laura’s work at Street Life Ventures continues to push for more equitable funding opportunities in the mobility space, all while ensuring that the companies they invest in are making a tangible impact on climate and urban living.
Blog Post: Diversity’s Role in Climate Justice and Transportation
Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues today, and shared mobility has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and promote sustainability. However, for shared mobility to create meaningful impact, it must be designed with climate justice in mind. This means considering the needs of vulnerable communities who are disproportionately affected by both transportation inequities and climate change. Our blog post on Climate Justice: Best Practices in Shared Mobility explores how incorporating social equity into sustainable mobility solutions leads to a fairer and more inclusive system for all. Take the city of Los Angeles, for example: their introduction of electric buses in low-income neighborhoods not only reduced air pollution but also provided affordable, accessible transportation to residents who were previously underserved. By considering the unique needs of marginalized communities, cities can create greener, more inclusive transportation networks that serve everyone—not just the privileged few.
Blog Post: 10 Principles for Inclusive Transportation Design
Inclusive design is more than a buzzword—it’s a set of actionable principles that help transportation systems become more accessible to everyone. In our 10 Principles for Inclusive Design blog post, we share examples of public transportation systems around the world that have successfully embraced inclusivity, as well as case studies of companies pushing the boundaries of innovation.
At the heart of every transportation system is a community of diverse individuals, each with their own unique needs and perspectives. By embracing global diversity in both our teams and our service designs, we can build mobility solutions that truly serve everyone. Whether you’re a city official, mobility operator, or urban planner, we invite you to explore our resources and take actionable steps toward creating equitable, inclusive transportation networks. This Global Diversity Awareness Month, let’s work together to ensure that transportation systems across the world reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.