DivaTribe Message Boards

http://www.pickuppal.com/pup/intro.html;jsessionid=A64CB9EAC00FDD13FBE6169BD22AF2C3

on one hand I think it's a great way to solve some transport problems... but on the other hand - safe?

In an ideal world where everyone has the best of intentions it sounds like an awesome carpooling idea.  But it also has a sketchy aspect to it that doesn't feel safe.

I agree with Jen. It could be a great idea, but OTOH, it really is not any safer than hitch-hiking, or picking up a hitch-hiker...

It would probably more widely used if there were some safety procedures built in to the system, like registered users  ID's have to be verified, and cannot have any violent criminal records, as well as vehicle & driver safety reports, etc....

I would imagine that with gas skyrocketing, and the whole economy going to hell in a hand-basket, a trust-worthy carpool would definitely be something a lot of people in larger cities like yours, would take advantage of. I know my Brother is constantly bitching about finding reliable car-pool's up in Berkeley!

Some large employers (universities, big companies) have workplace carpool/vanpool coordinators for their employees. 

Maybe if you work near a large employer you could ask if your own company can participate in their rideshare program?

Hi All,

I am really glad to see the interest in PickupPal and especially the concern around safety.  I have written about safety on our forum http://forum.pickuppal.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=30 (http://forum.pickuppal.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=30).  Part of our earliest goals with PickupPal was to provide a safe environment for women to travel.  To that end women can specify that they only want to be matched up with other women to either take a ride or provide a ride.  We also do not allow for users to browse around looking for people to pick up.  This was specifically designed to prevent people from browsing around or essentially "cruising" on the site.  I have a background in transportation planning and women have very different concerns to that of men when it comes to travel. 

The question I pose to women when they think about using PickupPal is" "do you feel safer traveling with a female you do not know OR a man you do not know?"  Most women tell me that they would feel safer traveling with another female - and that is exactly why we have the option to only be matched with other female PickupPal members.

What we find on PickupPal is that Women travel with Women, Men travel with Men - University students with other University Students etc..  Essentially groups that feel comfortable with each other travel together.

I am really glad you are talking about this and I appreciate being able to join in on the discussions.

Cheers - Eric
Co-Founder of PickupPal