Uber launches a new “Women Preferences” feature in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, allowing female riders to request women drivers. Learn how this safety-focused initiative could reshape ridesharing in the U.S.
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Introduction: A Long-Awaited Shift in Rideshare Safety
Uber, the rideshare giant that revolutionized urban transportation, is taking a significant step toward rider safety and comfort — especially for women. For the first time in the United States, Uber is launching a feature that allows female riders to request female drivers, a move that has been requested for years and already implemented in over 40 countries.
With sexual assault concerns and safety at the forefront of the rideshare conversation, Uber’s “Women Preferences” feature will be piloted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, before a potential national rollout.
But why now? What does this mean for women drivers and riders in the U.S.? And how will this affect Uber’s competition and the broader ridesharing economy?
This blog breaks it all down — from the chronological development of the feature to the political and cultural implications, with insights from safety experts, public reactions, and monetizable angles for publishers and platforms.
Chronological Timeline: From Safety Scandals to Empowering Women
2017–2018: Uber’s Darkest Years
Uber released a shocking safety report in 2019 revealing nearly 6,000 sexual assault cases between 2017 and 2018. While the company touted new safety measures, the damage to its reputation lingered.
2020: Legal Pressures Mount
The California Public Utilities Commission fined Uber $59 million for failing to hand over sexual assault data — a fine later reduced to $150,000 under the condition of anonymized data sharing.
2022: Survivors Speak Out
In a pivotal lawsuit, five women sued Uber over sexual assault incidents. Despite Uber claiming progress in safety measures, survivors claimed the company still didn’t go far enough in protecting riders.
2023: Global Expansion of “Women Preferences”
Uber launched its Women Driver and Rider Preference features in 40+ countries, including Germany, India, Egypt, and France — collecting key user feedback to refine the experience.
July 2024: The US Pilot is Announced
Uber finally announced it will pilot the feature in three major U.S. cities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit — starting late July 2024, citing consistent demand from both drivers and riders.
How the “Women Preferences” Feature Works
For Riders:
- A new option in the app called “Women Drivers” appears during ride requests.
- Riders can pre-book rides with female drivers.
- Riders can set a permanent preference in the app settings.
For Drivers:
- Female drivers can opt into a “Women Rider Preference”.
- This preference allows them to only receive trip requests from women.
- Even when enabled, riders and drivers can still choose to connect with all users if they wish.
Why These Cities? Strategic Pilot Markets Explained
Los Angeles:
With a high concentration of gig economy users and persistent complaints about ride safety, LA offers a high-volume, high-sensitivity test bed.
San Francisco:
As Uber’s headquarters and tech hub, SF provides proximity for real-time product feedback.
Detroit:
A Midwestern market with strong unions and community programs supporting women’s safety — perfect for gauging national scalability.
Impact on the Rideshare Landscape
1. Increased Ridership Among Women
Surveys suggest up to 45% of female riders feel unsafe using Uber late at night. The new feature could dramatically increase trust and ridership, especially among younger women and single moms.
2. Boost in Women Drivers
The gig economy has been historically male-dominated. This feature may lead to a spike in female driver sign-ups, empowering women financially while improving gender representation.
3. Competitive Pressure on Lyft and Others
Uber’s move may force Lyft, HERide, Just Her Rideshare, and other startups to accelerate or refine similar programs.
4. Safety-Focused Monetization
With Uber’s advertising model growing fast, safety-centered features could enable branded content, sponsored educational campaigns, and partnerships with women’s organizations.
Expert Commentary: What Industry Analysts Say
Camiel Irving (Uber VP, North America):
“Women riders and drivers have told us they want the option to be matched with other women… We’ve seen strong adoption globally and are optimistic about the US launch.”
Jessica Martinez, Safety Researcher at WomenTech:
“This feature is long overdue in the U.S. and may restore trust among female consumers. The key will be ensuring availability, since male drivers still dominate the platform.”
Dr. Layla Hassan, Professor of Urban Mobility:
“Uber has the data to prove that this feature reduces incidents. The issue isn’t innovation — it’s scaling it fast without compromising driver flexibility.”
Public Reactions: Social Media Weighs In
🚺 Positive Tweets:
- “Finally! I’ve been asking for this for years. Thank you @Uber 🙌”
- “Can’t wait to try this in LA. I’ve avoided rides at night until now.”
😡 Concerns & Criticism:
- “Is this going to make wait times longer? What if no women drivers are available?”
- “Sounds good in theory, but how will they verify the gender of the driver?”
🤔 Neutral / Curious:
- “Interesting. Wonder how this will affect fares and availability.”
Political and Cultural Commentary
Uber’s move comes at a time when gender politics and safety technology intersect in public discourse. Some advocacy groups see this as a positive step in combating harassment, while others question the algorithmic biases that might emerge.
Cultural Shift Toward “Custom Rideshare Experiences”
From disability accommodations to pet-friendly options, Uber is increasingly focusing on niche preferences. Women Preferences could mark a shift toward personalized ride settings as the future norm.
Privacy & Identity Concerns
Some critics argue that gender-based ride-matching could raise data privacy and discrimination concerns if poorly implemented.
FAQs
1. What is Uber’s Women Preferences feature?
It’s a new option that allows female riders and drivers to choose each other during ride requests, designed to enhance safety and comfort.
2. Where is the feature available?
As of now, it’s launching in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit as part of a pilot program.
3. Will this increase wait times?
Possibly, especially during peak hours or in areas with fewer women drivers. But Uber claims it has optimized its algorithm to minimize delays.
4. Can men use this feature?
No, it’s currently available only for female riders and drivers. However, both parties can still choose to accept general ride requests if they opt out.
5. How does Uber verify gender?
Uber uses the account registration process and may ask for government-issued ID during account creation or feature access.
6. Is this feature coming to more cities?
If the pilot is successful, Uber plans to expand it to more US cities later in 2025.
Conclusion: A Step in the Right Direction
Uber’s “Women Preferences” feature is more than just a tech update — it’s a cultural signal, acknowledging long-standing safety concerns and adaptingMonetizable Angles for High RPM:
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its platform to meet them. While not a panacea, it’s a positive evolution in the rideshare experience, especially for women.
As Uber fine-tunes this feature, its success or failure will likely influence the future of rideshare design, safety regulation, and gender-inclusive transportation innovation in the U.S.
