Women on (W)heels: Working together for inclusivity in the mobility sector

(W)heels foundation began five years ago, after it was noticed at an event that the panel was entirely male, and women ‘couldn’t be found’. Since then, the network has grown to over 200 women and more initiatives are emerging to promote inclusivity. 

The panel consisted of Professor Ineke Spapé, lecturer Danique Gommers, and Built Environment student Daniella Pidmalivska. The discussion was moderated by Shelley Bontje, treasurer of the (W)heels Network. Danique shared her experience as a student and her transition into the professional world. Returning as a lecturer was, for her, an opportunity to promote inclusivity. “It already starts during your studies,” she emphasised. Ineke, who graduated in 1977 as the only woman in her programme, stressed the importance of fostering a culture in which everyone can speak up. According to her, mobility is about much more than just vehicles and infrastructure. “Mobility is about human behaviour, not about boats and couriers. It’s about urban space, the vision for space, safety, and traffic safety,” said Ineke. She posed the question: “Should we present mobility in a different way than we’re used to?” Student Daniella spoke about her experience as one of three women in her mobility specialisation. “My choice for mobility was simple: it’s versatile and engaging. My gender didn’t play a role,” she said. 

A key topic of discussion was whether companies should provide special facilities to attract more women. According to Danique, it’s more important to create a culture where women feel welcome and safe. “When I started working, it was incredibly helpful to have female colleagues I could turn to,” she said. Mentorship and an open culture where everyone can speak up are crucial. It was also emphasised that the conversation about gender equality is not just about women: men are important allies. 

The future looks positive. Danique noted that more girls are attending open days and promotional events for Built Environment courses. Still, progress doesn’t happen automatically: the number of women in Built Environment with a specialisation in Mobility continues to fluctuate, and there’s no clear upward trend yet. That’s why the work of (W)heels is so important: by providing women with a platform, offering networking and mentoring programmes, and keeping the conversation alive, they’re working towards lasting change. 

The key messages of the event were clear: be proud of being a woman, speak out in a unifying way, and make the most of your network. After all, mobility isn’t just about vehicles and infrastructure – it’s about the people shaping this sector, and that includes everyone. (W)heels shows that there are plenty of opportunities for women to make their mark on the future of mobility.