People-centered mobility equity
Spin’s transformation sought to secure operational licenses within cities and, in the process, foster more equitable mobility outcomes. To achieve this, Gehl redesigned Spin’s approach to equity by conducting ethnographic design research and working closely with community advisors.
In late 2019, Gehl initiated an extensive process to analyze strategies that would enhance the accessibility of Spin services. Gehl conducted an ‘equity audit’, in collaboration with the design team at D-Ford, transit advocates from TransForm, and Toole Design,
The team employed a variety of methods to explore access and equity within Spin’s service as well as investigating the role of shared e-scooters in addressing mobility challenges in low-income communities. These methods included one-on-one rider interviews, surveys, site observations, operations monitoring, expert interviews, data analysis, prototyping, and community open houses. Informed by insights gathered, the team created numerous opportunities for listening and engagement, uncovering both clear prospects and challenging areas.
The result of this multi-method process was a set of community-informed prototypes that enhance low-income access to Spin, accompanied by an easy to understand equity framework and a reimagined enrollment process for new users.
