For-Women-Only Uber Even More Illegal than Regular Uber

[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
Chariot for Women, an alternative to Uber, Lyft and other ride hailing apps, is set to launch tomorrow. What sets this apart from the rest is that it’s for women only. Only women will taxi customers and only women will be customers.

Next City reported on Chariot for Women back in March, an immediately comments on Twitter rolled in about it being illegal to exclude men from either driving for Chariot for Women or being customers.

Vox, as they do, explains, “The biggest potential problem, though, is that Chariot for Women’s premise might not be legal. Civil rights lawyers told the Boston Globe that the ban on men would probably conflict with Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws, especially when it comes to hiring.”

While I’m not fan of ride hailing services (as they exploit workers), I think it’s interesting that many of the people who laude Uber for being so innovative are quick to denounce Chariot for Women. UberX operates illegally in places like Philadelphia, and that doesn’t seem to be an issue. So why not make one of the most dangerous professions and modes of transportation much safer for women?

New Cardboard Bike is Awesome

Cardboard Bike img from Sheffield Hallam Univ.According to Sheffield Hallam University’s website, “A student at Sheffield Hallam University has created a unique cardboard bicycle, which aims to reduce thefts and encourage people to get out of
their cars and ‘on their bikes.'”

The bike costs about $30 to make and its body is biodegradable.  Unfortunately, the bike can’t get wet and it can only hold a person–Americans beware–up to 168 pounds.

Source: Cardboard Bike A Cheap Solution to Theft | EcoGeek

Portland Considered Most Bicycle-Friendly City in North America

Portland has become an urban planner’s dream lately–with their urban growth boundary and celebrated environmental planning.

Now Portland’s considered North America’s most bicycle-friendly city.

Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now, recently interviewed Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Elly Blue, a Portland-based transportation activist about what makes Portland so bicycle friendly.

Amy’s guests were there to promote the Towards Carfree Cities Conference coming up in June.

Interview: Portland Considered Most Bicycle-Friendly City in North America
Above image from www.StreetsBlog.org.