Industry Leaders to Discuss Safe Navigation Solutions, Female Riding Experience and Road Safety Tips
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The pandemic has spurred a bike and scooter boom as more people look for alternatives to public transportation and find ways to enjoy more recreational time outdoors. In fact, 2020 research from the NPD Group found that bike sales and accessories grew a combined 75% to $1 billion compared to the previous year. However, amid the increase in demand for micromobility devices, there is a disproportionate number of men to women riding. In response, micromobility navigation app, ScootRoute and other industry leaders have teamed up to host a free “women in micromobility safety panel” on International Women’s Day--Monday, March 8 from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. EST.
A study from the City of Portland found that men are twice as likely to ride scooters than women. A major finding in the study found that women don’t believe it is a particularly safe activity. Among women in the study, scooting was viewed more like a thrill ride rather than a mode of transportation. The upcoming panel aims to seek solutions for the micrombility industry to become more diverse. Topics that will be covered in the panel include safe navigation solutions, the female riding experience, tips to consider while on the road and product innovation.
“As a Vespa rider for more than 10 years and a female CEO in a male dominated industry, I know firsthand about the safety concerns and frustrations that women face who are in this space,” said ScootRoute Founder and CEO, Meghan Braley. “Whether it’s navigating through busy traffic, to feeling unsafe riding at night, women need more resources and that’s why we decided to host the upcoming panel.”
Participating speakers include Braley, event host and founder of ScootRoute, a free app which allows riders the ability to personalize their ride based on preferences, including incline tolerances, traffic, top speed (MPH) and road type. Additional speakers will include the Co-Founder of SomEV and Battery Engineer, Natasha George; Owner of Jafe Cycling and host of numerous workshops to promote safe biking and repairs Matt Onojafe; and Saturday Night Bike Club Director of Cyclist Engagement, Ashley Ndiaye. CEO and Founder of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, Jennifer Kaplan, will be moderating the event and taking audience questions. Evolve’s marketing outreach includes national and local public relations, media relations and social media management.
“Navigating big cities like DC as a first-time rider or a seasoned rider can be overwhelming. We want to make sure we’re creating safe spaces for all black people on bikes, especially our black women,” said Ndiaye. “I’m proud to be part of SNBC, where we plan to implement rides just for women this upcoming season to create a stronger sense of community and awareness.”
The women in micromobility safety panel is free and open to the public. Reservations are required to join. To sign up and learn more about the panel on Monday, March 8 from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. EST, visit the Eventbrite link here. For more information on the host of the event, visit ScootRoute.com.
About ScootRoute™
ScootRoute™ is changing the way that riders can navigate both cities and suburbs on their preferred micro-mobility device. The free app combines three different mapping technologies to accommodate nuances of micro-mobility travel. No matter what you are riding, navigate smarter and faster with ScootRoute™, the made-for-scooting app that maps the faster, safer way to go. ScootRoute™ is free to download on both Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS devices. For more information, visit ScootRoute.com.
About Ashley Ndiaye
Ashley Ndiaye serves as Director of Cyclist Engagement for Saturday Night Bike Club (SNBC), a Black cycling group based in Washington, D.C. focused on providing a low-impact, healthy way to exercise and enjoy the D.C. area. As Director of Cyclist Engagement, Ashley works closely with members of the bike group, partnering organizations, and the greater community to help them collaborate with one another and address any issues affecting the well-being of SNBC riders. She supports SNBC as an Ambassador in organizing events, bringing in new community partners, and expanding the group's impact across the city. An avid rider, Ashley also serves as SNBC Route Captain. https://www.instagram.com/saturdaynightbikeclub/
About Natasha George
Natasha George is a battery engineer with over 9 years of experience in battery research, testing, and manufacturing. Having worked primarily at startups, Natasha is extremely resourceful and excels in fast-paced and unpredictable environments. After working at a battery startup where she was part of a small team to scale a new battery technology from R&D to low-volume manufacturing, Natasha started her own venture: SomEV. She is passionate about clean transportation, advocating for a sustainable future, and creating inclusive and diverse workplaces. Having lived in (4) countries, Natasha is a strong communicator and is highly adept at working with cross-cultural teams. https://www.som-ev.com/
About Matt Onojafe
Matt Onojafe is the owner of Jafe Cycling which provides full-service bicycle repair services, maintenance, and client consultations. Through guided group rides, 1 on 1 training sessions, and community hosted events “The Trails DMV” promotes health and wellness, encouraging its customers to pedal further to reach their goals. To learn more visit www.thetrailsdmv.com.
